The more you work, the less you exist. I believe (at least, I used to believe, because I no longer think this is entirely true) that the artist is like someone carrying a mirror in which everyone can look and recognize themselves, so that the person who carries the mirror ends up being nothing.
Christian BoltanskiWhen I was four or five years old, I heard a lot of stories about the Holocaust because both my parents were survivors. I'm sure that was very important in my life. My father snuck out from under the floorboards to make love to my mother. I can't imagine why they kept me.
Christian BoltanskiThere are very few times in creation in your life. One time is when you become an adult, one time is when your parents die, and the other time is when you are very old.
Christian BoltanskiThe fact that you were born means that there are no other children born because of you – you’ve killed them in a way.
Christian Boltanski