"History is representational, while time is abstract; both of these artifices may be found in museums, where they span everybody's own vacancy"
- Robert Smithson
About this Quote
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.
This quote is written / told by Robert Smithson between January 2, 1938 and July 20, 1973. He/she was a famous Artist from USA.
The author also have 32 other quotes.
"A lawyer without history or literature is a mechanic, a mere working mason; if he possesses some knowledge of these, he may venture to call himself an architect"
"We have our own history, our own language, our own culture. But our destiny is also tied up with the destinies of other people - history has made us all South Africans"
"It is humiliating to remain with our hands folded while others write history. It matters little who wins. To make a people great it is necessary to send them to battle even if you have to kick them in the pants. That is what I shall do"
