This week we were told to send a classmate an Art Care Package. The package was supposed to be full of different items that resembled ephemera. After learning about ephemera (items of collectible memorabilia, typically written or printed ones, that were originally expected to have only short-term usefulness or popularity), I decided to put a bunch of random stuff in the care package. I honestly have never met the classmate I got, so I couldn’t send a lot of personalized items. For this assignment I decided to go through my house and find any little trinkets or random items that could go in my art care package. Personally I believe everything is art whether the random mardi gras necklace I found , the Beach first aid kit, random tickets, To-DO lists, Jewels, Close Pins or Fake Flowers they all symbolize art in some way. I also colored 2 wood letters “A and G” which were my classmates initials. I consider most of these items to be ephemera, but I hope my classmate likes the package and finds some use or symbolism in some item I sent her!
Sending someone an ACP is similar to sending someone a Snapchat because it should only have use for only a short time. The package is full of items that can not be used for long 
and a snapchat can only be viewed for a max of 10 seconds. On the contrary the ACP is different then a snapchat because a snapchat is sent digitally and only last seconds while the package is mailed and items can be kept I think ephemera has different value to everyone. What one may consider trash, another may consider very precious. I think some ephemera’s can gain value over time while others can lose value over time. I believe every person and item will be different. For example an old parking ticket may be meaningless to one but an old marking ticket can also have meaning if it symbolizes a days someone got promoted or had a great date, etc. I recently just want to Coachella and believe my wristband will be very meaningful! There is a difference between art that is seen by many people, like a painting in the Museum of Modern Art, and art that is seen by few, like the ACP you send to someone because one type of art is recognized and truly valued and displayed to endless people while the ACP is not. On the other hand, a person may have way more individual love and appreciation for an ACP then some piece of art in a public museum. Someone can take a Snapchat and a friend on the other side of the globe can view it, all within seconds. To make an ACP and send it even to a nearby friend will take days. Snapchat is amazing because it is remarkable to be able to receive photos and information so quickly. On the contrary I believe slow is better because it shows someone put time and effort into what is sent. I feel like anything hand made or created such as an ACP has way more “love” and care then anything store bought. I may have a young spirit but I will always have an old soul.
madisonbraverman 