The exhibition combines the concept of a “commonplace book” with the cinematic ability to explore history and complex narratives. Traditionally, commonplace books are personal collections of significant quotes, notes, and ideas meant for reflection. Here, this concept expands into a large-scale wall installation of citations, film excerpts, and images. These references—drawing from The Dawn of Everything by David Graeber and David Wengrow, as well as works by thinkers like Marshal Sahlins, Pierre Clastres, James C. Scott, Carolyn Merchant, Benedict Anderson, Bertolt Brecht, and Raul Vaneigem (among others),—form a web of interconnected ideas on human societies, social organization, and history.
The installation’s film component anchors these reflections in the present, as the artist documents New York City’s streets from the passenger’s view on various bus routes. Inspired by History Lessons by Jean-Marie Straub and Danièle Huillet, the film, over 20 hours long, lends an anthropological lens, weaving time and motion through the fixed texts to bring historical and philosophical discourse into urban life.
Graeber and Wengrow’s The Dawn of Everything challenges the assumption that the rise of the nation-state was inevitable, instead revealing diverse early social structures where “pre-history” becomes “history.” Their work celebrates humanity’s creativity and adaptability, suggesting that states are just one of many possible social forms—not the inevitable outcome. This perspective encourages us to rethink history and consider new possibilities for organizing society.
Reflecting on these ideas, the installation poses fundamental questions: Why do we think inequality is inevitable? Could humans have chosen differently, and can we still make those choices today? Why do we overlook the political agency and creativity of early people? How can we integrate ancient examples into our society today?
The installation invites visitors to engage with the film and selected textual passages individually or collectively, as part of an evolving conversation. Ideas are not static but interact—sometimes reinforcing, sometimes contradicting, always challenging. Kalpakjian transforms the commonplace book and film into a dynamic space of dialogue, sparking new reflections on human societies and inspiring alternative visions for the future.
Prior knowledge of the references is unnecessary; they serve as prompts for contemplation and conversation, much like notes in a personal commonplace book, where scribbles, thoughts, and drawings may reveal at the very least certain whims and vicissitudes of our invisible thinking, that’s just your’s. This installation extends an invitation to thoughtful engagement without judgment.
A PDF of Texts from the installation is available on request. (email craig (at) kalpakjian.com)
