"History is representational, while time is abstract; both of these artifices may be found in museums, where they span everybody's own vacancy"

This quote by Robert Smithson talks to the idea that history and time are 2 distinct principles, yet they can both be discovered in museums. History is representational, suggesting it can be seen and experienced in concrete methods, such as through artifacts, files, and other physical items. Time, on the other hand, is abstract, indicating it can not be seen or experienced in a physical way. In spite of this, both history and time can be found in museums, where they cover everyone's own vacancy. This recommends that museums are locations where individuals can go to experience and discover the past, as well as reflect on the passage of time. In this way, museums can be seen as a bridge between the past and the present, permitting individuals to gain a much better understanding of both history and time.