ABSTRACT:
This text approaches some contemporary works in the visual arts (works by G. Penone, R. Smithson, C. Casanova) which present different relations and dispositions of a material taken to be natural: stone. I intend to revisit the distinctions presented by Heidegger between mere things, utensils and works of art, as well as between stone, animal and man in connection with the world. Furthermore, I will discuss dislocations regarding such issues, based on indications from deconstruction (Jacques Derrida and other authors). I aim to indicate some of the meanings under which deconstructive approaches are fruitful for thinking about contemporary movements within the scope of what Derrida calls "spatial arts".
KEYWORDS:
Visual arts; Heidegger; Deconstruction; Derrida
