Absence and Presence Youth T-Shirt

Question: Why is there something rather than nothing?–Martin Heidegger, philosopher

Answer: If there were nothing you’d still be complaining!–Sidney Morgenbesser, Columbia University professor of philosophy

For thousands of years, philosophers have hotly debated the presence of absence and the absence of presence, and the existence of both.

Philosophy has composed a kaleidoscopic collage of theories about being and nothingness throughout the centuries. None of these explanatory effort has satisfied everyone, and so philosophy continues to search for answers.

The mystery of our existence invites speculation about it from each of us; so does non-existence. To be or not to be still is the question. So ask yourself, as honestly as you can: if there were nothing, would you still be complaining?

All artwork, descriptions, & other text [except for quotations] created & copyright by Eric Edelman. All rights reserved.

Eric Edelman is a collagist and found-object sculptor. His work has been featured in one-person shows and group exhibitions in museums and private galleries, and.is represented in several private and institutional collections. Edelman's collages and other work have appeared in The New York Review of Books and in the books The Art of the Miniature and Genius in a Bottle, as well as the monograph “Eric Edelman Collages the Unconscious.“ Click HERE for the Art of RetroCollage blog, about art, collage, creativity, and inspiration, featuring Eric Edelman's most recent artwork. Click HERE to subscribe to Art of RetroCollage and receive email updates about new artwork and subscriber offers.