The Ring of the Single Step

The Ring of the Single Step, also known as The Ring of the Ephemeral Path Between Heaven and Earth, is the seventh ring of the second cycle of the series This Too Shall Break. This ring is devoted to the idea of transition, honoring the singular moment of movement between two states of being. Inspired by the symbolic relationship between Heaven and Earth, it reflects the tension and harmony that exist between belief and reality, hope and uncertainty. The ring holds the idea that even the smallest movement, a single step, can bridge vast conceptual distances, carrying with it protection, meaning, and possibility.

The ring is carved from a found green stone of unknown geological type. Its form draws inspiration from Chinese bi discs, combining circular gestures with angular edges to echo the relationship between circle and square. The design incorporates a single step within the form, a subtle but deliberate interruption that suggests passage rather than permanence. Through carving and polishing by hand, the stone underwent a visible transformation, with white veining becoming more pronounced and the green tones deepening. The result is a delicate and refined object whose final character emerged through process rather than prediction.

This Too Shall Break is a series of thirteen cycles of thirteen stone rings. The project brings our idea of stone sculpture as large immutable things only to be shared in museums and public spaces down to earth. Each ring is small, delicate, and personal. It is a piece of wearable art which requires mindfulness for the wearer, changing the relationship between collector and art. These rings are not meant to be owned, but to be experienced, to grow with, and to take care of.