Throughout our lives, whether as children, dreamers, architects, builders, entrepreneurs, or simply as playful beings, we all create our own “monoliths.”This term, derived from the Greek words “monos” (alone) and “lithos” (rock), carries a fascinating meaning. A monolith represents a solid, impermeable, and homogeneous mass of a specific material embodying both minimalistic simplicity and grandeur. Monoliths manifest in diverse forms across the globe, both in natural landscapes and human-made structures. They capture our imagination, prompting us to explore their significance and marvel at their presence.

One captivating portrayal of monoliths can be found in one of my favorite books, Arthur C. Clarke’s novel, 2001 A Space Odyssey. In this story, monoliths are black cuboid machines with sides in the precise ratio of 1:4:9, built by an ancient extraterrestrial species known as the Firstborn, who are suggested to be the earliest intelligent beings to evolve in the Milky Way.

All of the following images were taken by the talented Hanne Fransen. Whether shot digitally or on film, she beautifully captured the object with the Kalmthoutse Heide as a stunning backdrop. 2024