This series of stones were found on the shores of Santa Cruz, in the Channel Islands off the coast of Los Angeles, while snorkeling in the kelp forests in August 2025.
The stones consist of diatomaceous sedimentary rock, rich in silica and calcium from the shells of ancient plankton that settled on the seafloor over millions of years.
The holes resulted from piddock clams that bore into the rock. They’re shaped by a unique combination of geological processes and biological symbiosis, imbuing them with life.
Many cultures around the world cultures consider these mysterious stones enchanted.
The Sentient Stones straddle the boundary between the biological and geological. Inspired by natural forms, including cocoons, chrysalides, fossilized eggs, and bleached corral.
Recent experiments have involved submerging these forms in saltwater tanks to build a habitat for plankton and marine microorganisms.
