9 Stones 1989

John Cage's print, 9 Stones, invites us into the artist's world of chance and intention. Cage, deeply influenced by Zen Buddhism, sought ways to relinquish control in his work. Here, simple circular forms are scattered across a translucent field. These shapes echo the rocks he gathered and arranged according to the I Ching, an ancient Chinese divination text, as a score for his art. Cage embraced the unpredictable, letting these methods guide the composition, color, and placement. Looking at these quietly placed forms, what do they spark in you? Does the intentional lack of intention resonate, and how does it shift your understanding of art and its creation? This work makes visible Cage's belief in the beauty of happenstance and the power of letting go.