For this piece, I aimed to make flowers in a vase. I chose some crushed up cans we had laying in a basket in the backyard because I did not want to touch the actual garbage that was infested with flies. At first I was scared that my piece was not going to be easily recognizable so I showed my roommates the picture, and asked “what do you see?” Thankfully, the saw exactly what I intended to make. Using materials like this takes away from getting into detail, shading, or creating hard straight lines. It is more about setting them in places to find your desired shape, color, or pattern.
As for how long a kiss should last, ask the ones in the moment. Ask the lovers who have shared 25 ups, downs, and everything in between. Ask the teenager mustering up the courage to plant one on his crush as butterflies rage rampant in his stomach. Ask the partner sending their soldier across the vast ocean with hopes and prayers that they may share a kiss once again.
A great meal should last until the last person has stuffed themselves like a turkey. It should last until the last laughs fade and the old farts start to doze off on the couch. It ends when the people who entered as guests, leave as family.
A work of art does not need to last physically, only in memory. Therefore no matter how fast a piece disappears or if it outlasts the ages, art should last forever within us.
Marriage should last a life time, through thick and thin, sickness and health, until death do you part. Unless there are dire circumstances in which a spouse may need to leave their partner.
A human life should last no more than 110 years. While it is a blessing to live a a long life in terms of numbers, what truly matters is not the years in your life, but the life in your years.
I absolutely believe that because we have finite times, we should seek to cherish what is in front of us. Cherish each and every individual in our lives that betters us. We experience things far differently when time is limited. Live in the moment, smile, laugh, dance, be goofy, and most of all — give all the love your heart can muster up. The power of love is unparalleled.
Clean water, air, and land should be sustainable and lost long because without them, the world as we know it perishes. Anyone can make a difference in the global movement toward saving the earth. My favorite Greek saying roughly translated goes as follows: “Bean after bean fills the bag.” One bean at a time, we can fight to make sure our planet keeps lasting. Recycle, use a bike or skateboard, clean up litter, or use reusable water bottles and bags. It all makes a difference!!
Dimitri Petrakis 