Janine Antoni

Whispering Through a Stone is an artwork by Janine Antoni, whose practice merges body, material, and process to make her meaning. Known for using her own body as both a tool and subject, Antoni creates deeply personal works that invite connection through the senses.

Inspired by the form of a “conversation chair” designed to let two people talk privately in public, this sculpture invites pause and presence. Instead of wood or metal, Antoni has chosen solid stone as her medium. Two seats are carved into the surface of a single granite boulder, placed in opposite directions. A narrow tunnel — the “whispering hole” — runs through the dense stone, allowing quiet voices to pass between the two sides.

This artwork offers is a space for reflection and intimate exchange situated in the middle of a public area. Whispering Through a Stone is more than a sculpture; it’s a sensory experience, one that invites people to slow down, connect, and share a moment. Grounded and enduring, the boulder holds the imprint of its journey on the earth now it rests and gathers the whispers of those that seek to communicate.     

To bring this vision to life, our team was involved in every phase of the production process. From working with the artist to select the perfect boulder at a Virginia Mist quarry outside Washington, D.C., to scanning both the stone and Antoni’s original mock-up, every detail was carefully considered. The final form was digitally sculpted with the artist’s guidance to preserve her vision. Special thanks to Quarra Stone who provided material procurement and milling.