Exploring what it means to own—and be owned by—ideas, objects, and responsibilities.
Ownership is more than legal title—it’s a relationship between a person and something they claim as theirs. This relationship carries rights, duties, identity, and often, emotional weight.
From physical property to digital data, from creative works to personal time, ownership defines boundaries in both society and self.
True ownership isn’t just about possession—it’s about care. To own something is to accept responsibility for its impact, maintenance, and legacy.
As environmentalist Wendell Berry wrote: “The care of the Earth is our most ancient and most worthy, and after all, our most pleasing responsibility.”
Think about something you deeply value. Do you feel you own it—or does it, in some way, own you?