Gregory Colbert Quotes

Gregory Colbert is a Canadian filmmaker and photographer best known as the creator of Ashes and Snow, an exhibition of photographic artworks and films housed in the Nomadic Museum. Colbert sees himself as an apprentice to nature. His works are collaborations between humans and other species that express the poetic sensibilities and imaginations of human and animals. His images offer an inclusive non-hierarchical vision of the natural world, one that depicts an interdependence and symmetry between humanity and the rest of life. In describing his vision, Colbert has said, '"I would define what I do as storytelling…what’s interesting is to have an expression in an orchestra—and I’m just one musician in the orchestra. Unfortunately, as a species we’ve turned our back to the orchestra. I’m all about opening up the orchestra, not just to other humans, but to other species.'" Wikipedia  

✵ 19. April 1960
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Gregory Colbert: 8   quotes 0   likes

Famous Gregory Colbert Quotes

“In exploring the shared language and poetic sensibilities of all animals, I am working toward rediscovering the common ground that once existed when people lived in harmony with animals.”

"Nature's Living Masterpieces" in Camera Arts (July 2005)
Context: In exploring the shared language and poetic sensibilities of all animals, I am working toward rediscovering the common ground that once existed when people lived in harmony with animals. The images depict a world that is without beginning or end, here or there, past or present. I hope that the overall effect is an experience of wonder and contemplation, serenity and hope.

“In the next 25 years, the human race will have to decide whether or not to preserve the bestiary of Nature’s living masterpieces.”

As quoted in "Epiphanies in Sepia and Umber" by Matthew Gurewitsch, in The Wall Street Journal, (15 March 2005)
Context: In the next 25 years, the human race will have to decide whether or not to preserve the bestiary of Nature’s living masterpieces. Ashes and Snow is not meant to tell people to do some things and not to do other things. It’s meant to inspire. I hope it’s not a requiem.

“I have invented nothing. I have simply documented a magical alchemy that I want to share.”

As quoted in "Dances With Whales" by Alan Riding in The New York Times (22 April 2002) http://www.nytimes.com/2002/04/22/arts/dances-with-whales.html

“If you look at Paleolithic cave paintings, you see how people were depicted inside nature, not outside it. It was a kind of dream time. That’s what I’m exploring.”

"Peerless on the Pier" in Town & Country (March 2005) http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-131688118/peerless-pier-arts-culture.html

“I spent all my time at school in the library. Bad teachers can teach you to learn on your own.”

"Dances With Whales" by Alan Riding in The New York Times (22 April 2002)

“The stars you see at night are the unblinking eyes of sleeping elephants, who sleep with one eye open to best keep watch over us.”

Ashes and Snow : A Novel in Letters (2005) Flying Elephants Press

“The whales do not sing because they have an answer. They sing because they have a song.”

Ashes and Snow : A Novel in Letters (2005) Flying Elephants Press

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