Figuren bij een cairn in de Kruisbaai te Nova Zembla 1880

Louis Apol sketched "Figures by a Cairn in Cross Bay, Nova Zembla" using graphite on paper. Notice the cairn, a carefully constructed pile of stones. Since ancient times, cairns have marked trails and summits, guiding travelers across landscapes and through life. They are a symbolic act of human presence in nature. Think of other piles of rocks throughout time, like the Tower of Babel. The cairn in Apol's sketch invites reflection on how humanity organizes the world, using objects to create meaning and leave traces of our existence. It invites us to reflect on how cultural memory and subconscious processes affect the production and interpretation of symbols. Apol's cairn connects to our deep, subconscious understanding of place, memory, and the human need to mark our presence. It invites us to contemplate how we engage with the landscape and what it means to leave our mark upon the world. A simple pile of stones is more than a landmark; it is a testament to cultural memory and human presence.