The present contains nothing more than the past and what is found in the effect was already in the cause.” – Henri Bergson, Creative Evolution, 1907. From the series Great Ideas of Western Man.

Edgard Pillet, "The present contains nothing more than the past and what is found in the effect was already in the cause."--Henri Bergson, Creative Evolution, 1907. From the series Great Ideas of Western Man., 1966, acrylic, epoxy: relief cast and painted, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Container Corporation of America, 1984.124.238
Copied Edgard Pillet, "The present contains nothing more than the past and what is found in the effect was already in the cause."--Henri Bergson, Creative Evolution, 1907. From the series Great Ideas of Western Man., 1966, acrylic, epoxy: relief cast and painted, 41 1427 122 12 in. (104.870.06.3 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Container Corporation of America, 1984.124.238

Artwork Details

Title
The present contains nothing more than the past and what is found in the effect was already in the cause.” – Henri Bergson, Creative Evolution, 1907. From the series Great Ideas of Western Man.
Date
1966
Dimensions
41 1427 122 12 in. (104.870.06.3 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Container Corporation of America
Mediums
Mediums Description
acrylic, epoxy: relief cast and painted
Classifications
Keywords
  • Abstract
  • Abstract — geometric
Object Number
1984.124.238

Artwork Description

Edgard Pillet created this piece for the advertising campaign “Great Ideas of Western Man” for the Container Corporation of America. The arrangement of lines and geometric shapes evokes a modern cityscape. A large circle floats above the “city,” inside which a complex pattern of smaller circles resembles the inner workings of a machine. Pillet evokes the image of a clockwork universe, suggesting that the present is simply an outcome of processes that were set in motion before history.