The Writing Of Stones

A selection of stones from Roger Caillois' s collection, found via Arts and Science Journal

"Who knows whether this tumult of triangles inscribed in stone, first brought about by nature and then by art, does not contain one of the secret cyphers of the universe?

"I see the origin of the irresistible attraction of metaphor and analogy, the explanation of our strange and permanent need to find similarities in things. I can scarcely refrain from suspecting some ancient, diffused magnetism; a call from the center of things; a dim, almost lost memory, or perhaps a presentiment, pointless in so puny a being, of a universal syntax."

—From The Writing of Stones

Richard Long

1)  Richard Long. A Thousand Stones Added To The Footpath Cairn England 1979
2)  Richard Long. Whirlwind Spiral. The Sahara 1988
3)  Richard Long. A Line In Japan. Mount Fuji 1979.

Art made by walking in landscapes.
All works by Richard long. See more on his website here

the impulse to understand the immense

A large square is marked with black paint on the gallery floor. The edge pointing true north is curved, and acts as the horizon. Placed on this surface are small limestone and quartz rocks collected from the Keewinaw Peninsula in Upper Michigan, in an arrangement that reflects the stars above San Francisco at first visibility on the night of the reception. This reflecting pool serves as a record of one moment in our trajectory through the universe.

Claire Nereim, Reflection. As on view at PLAySPACE.
(found via evencleveland)

stones and stars

"On his first day, Mr. Piailug took stones from the garden and made a map of the stars on the ground, Mr. Thompson said. Slowly, he learned to pay attention to ocean currents and read the weather from the color of the light at dawn."

Laura Parker, "A Hawaiian Canoe Crosses the Ocean, Guided by Sun and Stars."