Entropy - the tendency to move from a state of higher energy to a state of lower energy.  Sagging jowls or varicose veins are manifestations of the personal impact of entropy. Ultimately, a pile of ash will be the outcome of Ken vs. Entropy, and entropy will march on without having noticed. My only hope is that my influence might be noted in some of the other piles of ash around me, or that I will have left my mark in some medium more resistant to entropy.

As sculptors of stone, we must have some urge to fight entropy in a stronger way than most. Many people are satisfied merely with keeping dust off their dining room table, wax on the car, and paint on the house. But dust, wax and paint do not concern me (much to Adele’s chagrin). My personal challenge to entropy is expressed by converting 100-million year old stones into art.

An art professor once challenged a friend over why she had converted a one-ton travertine stone into a sculpture. It had taken months. Why had she not used Styrofoam instead to express her form? It would have only taken a day or two. Maybe it is color, or texture.  Maybe it is even the effort of moving one ton around the studio that makes a stone form more exciting than foam. But I think also it has to do with wanting to make a bigger challenge to entropy.

Suz Gentiluomo and I were talking about entropy this week and she suggested a bumper sticker contest. “Down with Entropy.” “Just Say No to Entropy.” Send me your suggestions.

Carve well, have fun, and wear a good respirator,