Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Hi Sneaker – Maroon

Converse, Made in China, cotton canvas, rubber, metal, length: 10”

I will never outgrow another pair of shoes again. I wore this pair of red Converse to high school nearly every day. They are now a faded maroon, with any originally white color now a non-identifiable beige. Their laces are long and dirty, and they lay in the dark corner of my closet, rarely seeing the light of day. As the last memento of my teenage years, I keep them to hold the bittersweet memory of growth I will never experience again. Adolescence is about change and discomfort, finding and inventing yourself. I cannot help but feel a longing for this exciting and painful time in life.  Now, I am grown, defined. By the time I graduated, my toes could barely endure the pain of the tightness, and I knew they were finally outgrown. Now, in my adult life, decay and destruction through use will tear my new shoes from my closet and into a landfill. – Eva S.

Film Camera

Canon Incorporated, Tokyo, Japan, 1975, metal, plastic, glass, height: 4”

When I have my film camera slung over my shoulder, I see the world differently before even lifting the viewfinder to my eye. Endless possibilities begin presenting themselves: that door with a downspout next to it could make for an interesting abstract composition. That group of strangers ordering lunch from a food truck could be a fun bit of street photography. A midday sky full of fluffy white clouds might add some texture to a wide landscape shot. Being limited to only thirty-six shots forces me to be selective, to slow down and make every frame count. After finishing the roll, I develop it myself, turning the developing tank over and over, eagerly anticipating the moment when I unspool the film and get to see my images for the first time. Using this camera is a lesson in discipline and technique. More importantly, it encourages me to slow down, look around, and really take life in. Hidden beauty is all around us, and with this camera, I get to take some of it home. – Joseph M.

Greca

Imusa, Greca, n.d, aluminum, height: 6”

Are you there with me? Hear the sound of the waves crashing at a distance. Feel the sun heat the floor below your feet. Out of the corner of your eye, see green parrots fly out of a palm tree. This is all I experience when I wake up and make coffee in a greca, a stovetop coffee maker formed by two cylinders which screw onto each other. In Puerto Rico, the greca is our typical way of preparing coffee. It is a symbol of home for many Puerto Ricans. During my first winter in the United States, my greca became a source of comfort, offering me a grounding ritual that made me feel connected to my home which I missed so much. After three minutes of the greca being on the stove, you hear the coffee brewing. This is my alarm clock back to reality. I am back at my apartment in Philadelphia, mixed feelings arising, excitement yet loneliness. Moving to a new city is not an easy change, but an object as mundane as a greca can make these transitions easier. – Almudena F/M.

Tikli

Dhaka, Bangladesh, 1990, length: 5”

Detailed with intricate floral patterns and adorned in tiny dangling spheres near the edges, my mother’s glistening Tikli has always felt like one of my most prized possessions. Even though my mother always tells me that it will never officially be mine until my wedding day, I take any opportunity to wear it. Relentlessly, I try to convince her to give it to me because withholding her Tikli from me will not persuade me to get married any sooner. My mother dreams of the day that the long chain of this Tikli will fasten into my hair so that its centerpiece can rest flat at the top of my forehead. As a little girl I was in love with this Tikli. It represented what my future would look like. Now that I have left home for college, it reminds me of our family’s largest religious and cultural celebrations such as Eid and Bangladeshi Independence Day, when I was allowed to wear this Tikli as a child and, for a couple of hours, pretend that it was already mine. – Fatinah S.

Remake of Murals in the Mogao Grottoes, Nine-colored Deer

Bingchen C., Dunhuang, China, 2021, clay tablet, height: 9”

Do you want to start a journey to a miracle place? Then look at this brick red clay tablet that I made in Dunhuang, China. It shows part of the “Nine-colored Deer Sutra,” a beautiful mural in Mogao Cave No. 257 that is a representative work from the Northern Wei Dynasty. A white deer with four green feet and two antlers is the main character; triangle patterns are evenly placed on its body. Under the deer’s feet rise mountains of blue, white, khaki, and green overlapping each other. These colors recreated mineral pigments available at that time of the mural’s painting. Grey brush strokes all over the surface mimic the traces of touch on the mural and add some mystery. The rough edge of the tablet shows layers of the process of creation, a traditional method called “three kinds of sand, six soils, and one ash.” The same process is used to restore the murals hidden in the cave to the greatest extent. The whole experience of remaking the image helped me truly understand the story behind it. When I want to return to that magical site, I look at my tablet, the most monumental object of my Dunhuang trip. – Bingchen C.

Applause Acoustic Guitar

Ovation Guitar Company, Connecticut, United States, circa late 1970s, laminated wood, aluminum, and fiberglass, height: 41”

When I was a teenager, my grandfather gave me his beloved acoustic guitar, which he had pawned a 12-string for back in the late 1970s, much to my grandmother’s disapproval. This guitar captivates me so much, not only because of its sound quality and durability despite its age, but also because of its unexpected ability to become a catalyst of memory. Not long after taking it home, I found a small collection of photographs in a hidden compartment of the hard-shell case the guitar came in. They depicted my grandparents and their groovy friends hanging out, playing some tunes, cast in that warm, sentimental glow all old photos have. When I returned the pictures to them, I received a flood of memories and anecdotes in exchange: nostalgia for better times, mourning old friends lost to age, stories I would have never heard if I had not found the pictures, if I had not been given the guitar. When we inherit something from our family, it is never just one thing. Rather, we become entangled in a complex, unpredictable web of objects, lives, and histories. For my grandparents and I, our web is made of steel strings. – Tara F

 Adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2 Sesame

Kanye West, Adidas, released in 2018, primeknit, boost, rubber, size 11

When buying a luxury product, do we get trapped in a cycle of reliance and spending? This is the question I asked when I had to replace my Yeezy Boost 350 sneakers. I had fostered a need for their comfort. While nearly my entire closet has shifted style multiple times through waves of buying and selling, these are one of the few things I can confidently say I have worn for their entire lifespan. Between cracks in the rubber from traversing mountains, to the stains and tears that come with a night out, they are now falling apart. Only after putting them to rest did I realize that objects like these require routine replacement, and I have locked myself into paying more than I need for shoes whenever I need an everyday pair. I feel I have built a reliance on the unnecessary, and though I will always cherish the memories we have together, I cannot help but wonder if it would have been the same with just a normal pair of Vans. – Dom N.

Ring

Jonah R., Dobbs Ferry, New York, United States, January 2022, green tourmaline and brass, size 3

Unlike most jewelry, the value of my ring comes from its imperfections.

What creates value in an object, specifically wearable metal art? Is it perceived perfection of material harmony and design or the glistening and irresistible eye-catching reflections cascading off the polished ore? Or, for most, is it the marketing and consumerism that makes us believe we need something shiny to feel seen in such an overstimulating world?

After painstakingly creating my own Cartier Love Ring, I wondered how you would perceive my object. Perhaps with no prior knowledge of the process needed to alter the raw materials into a ring form, why and how would someone create value for my object—an object without the smoothed profiles to develop the reflective sparkle that would command others to stare?

These flaws encourage you to imagine and feel the processes and the techniques employed to create a one-of-a-kind piece. The object embraces you, wants you to ask questions and be forthcoming, as its design does not attempt to conceal the methods of its making. – Jonah R.

Xbox Elite Series II Wireless Controller

Microsoft, circa 2019, cubber, aluminum, width: 6”

At first glance, this controller appears to be in great shape. There is not much visual wear apart from the rubber on the thumbsticks having gained a glossier finish over time. However, some of the mechanics have begun to deteriorate to the point where the controller is not usable anymore. I thought about getting rid of it, but I could not bring myself to. When I first bought this controller I thought it might have been a bad purchase when weighing how much I play against how much it cost. I ended up using it significantly more than I originally thought I would once the pandemic hit and we were stuck inside. I started playing video games more to connect with friends since I could not see them in person, it helped me feel less isolated and like one part of my life was still normal. This object faced every emotion I could possibly throw at it while gaming and served me well for many years. It ended up being one of my favorite purchases. – Thomas O.

Apple AirPods (2nd Generation)

Apple, made in Vietnam, circa 2019, plastic, silicone, and stainless steel, height of earphones: 1.59,” height of case: 2.11”

 Wallet, keys, glasses, my AirPods—the essentials I carry in my bag that I am willing to walk back home and retrieve if I forget them. Since when did simple earphones possess the significance of the tools to unlock my door or the polycarbonate plastic that permits my sight?  Apple—both the brand and its logo—has become a social symbol. I am apprehensive to admit that I enjoy the somewhat obvious, but subtle statement I am quietly making when I pull out my MacBook, iPhone, and AirPods. Clearly, I am “Team Apple,” and my reluctant, but inevitable, path to purchasing earphones that I did not really need indicates as much. However, they have become more special to me than I would have ever imagined. Besides being the fuel that burns the flames of a short-lived elitist complex gained by owning cordless earphones, my AirPods have transformed into a protective barrier. I am convinced that they ward off strangers on my walk home, shield my brain from distracting thoughts, and foster the creative world in my head inspired by the song I am listening to at the time. – Kimberly P.

Ceramic Bowl Number 289

Mike Sullivan, 2021, speckled clay with a jade glaze, height: 2”

Are objects defined by their function or by the story behind them? Bowl number 289 is special because of the story that it holds. This bowl was gifted to me by a friend and found its humble beginnings as a dish for food. Due to its form however, it quickly became clear that this was not a suitable purpose for such a decorative bowl. I have moved twice since receiving the bowl, getting rid of many things, but for some reason it has stayed with me. Earlier this year, the bowl found new life, when it served as a drinking bowl for my pet rabbit, Huey. It was the perfect height for him to drink from, and was heavy enough that he was not able to flip it. Unfortunately Huey passed away, and the bowl found its next function—as a receptacle for keys and rings. I now use the bowl for linseed oil and water when painting on the go. These days I carry the bowl with me almost everywhere, as it fits perfectly in the pocket of my bag, serving as a reminder of the friendships that I had both with its maker and my pet rabbit. – Alex P.

Moora Stool

Nesa, Brooklyn, New York, United States, circa 2004, bamboo sticks, plastic lacing material, and twine, height: 1.8’

In the bustling bazaars of Bangladesh, a replacement for my moora can be found within moments, but my moora can never be replaced. This stool is an embodiment of my grandmother’s youth, strength, culture, and wisdom; each can be found interwoven with the complex structure of the bamboo sticks. It was made for my parents as a gift and celebrated their first child and her first grandchild, me. The yellow, a color often used in special celebrations in my culture, was a “congratulations!,” while the green represented a new beginning. Together the colors created a luminous amalgamation making the well wishes of my grandmother come to life. I was an only child for many years and during those lonely years my moora took on the duty of letting my imagination run wild. It became a basketball hoop when I wanted to practice sports, a wheelchair when I wanted to experience being too frail to walk, a winners podium when I won a game (as the only person playing, I always won), and so much more. Now that I have numerous siblings and cousins, my life is less inventive in some ways, but the moora reminds me of my amazing childhood. – Subeen U.

Mounted Buffalo Horns

circa 1960, wood, horns, leather, and brass, width: 24”

You are moving into your own place for the first time. You are free to be independent and live as you please. What is your first purchase? A cool sofa? A flat-screen TV? Those would be perfectly reasonable choices. However, I am an unapologetically, unreasonable person. With fifty dollars to my name and an empty refrigerator at home, the only thing I wanted were these mounted buffalo horns I came across in a dusty thrift store. After surrendering said fifty dollars, I took the piece home, hung it proudly on the wall, and admired it as I sat on the floor in my furniture-less apartment.

That was eleven years, two universities, three careers, five pets, and seven apartments ago. Nearly everything in my life has changed since then, except for this piece, which has remained ever-present in my dwellings, bearing witness to it all. If you had asked me then if this purchase was anything other than spontaneously hedonistic, I would have assured you that it was not. However if you asked me today, I would tell you that these horns were not simply a spur-of-the-moment acquisition, but a symbol of my independence, developing adulthood, and journey of self-discovery. – Evan K.

Blue Pill Cutter

CVS Health Brands, circa 2020, plastic, rubber, metal, length: 3”

The idea of dependency gets a bad rap. It is often associated with weakness and shame. Maybe you think of an addict or someone in an unhealthy relationship. Truthfully, I am dependent. I take this small blue portable object everywhere with me as I cannot swallow pills, yet I rely on them every day to combat my anxiety.

When my panic attacks flared up again after moving to the city, I knew medication was going to be one of the solutions, but it was also its own challenge. My body refused to allow the pill to pass. What if I choke? What if it gets stuck in my lungs? These thoughts squeezed my throat close, and I stopped taking the medicine altogether.

Then, I found this pill cutter in the back of a bathroom bin. Its obnoxious blue plastic caught my eyes instantly. Cutting up the pills into smaller pieces let me finally take them, and my anxiety began to ease. I do not plan to stop using the pill cutter, I am in a good place and content with my pill chopping routine.

So yes, I am dependent, and I am not ashamed, but stronger now than before. – Isabella C.

Signature Color Accent Blossom N2 Vase

Villeroy & Boch, n.d., crystal glass

How can a decorative piece you once hated turn into something you long for? My Blossom vase, a gift I once completely loathed, is now a welcomed reminder of my life back home. It used to sit atop the sideboard in our hallway, greeting every houseguest and capturing their faces on its translucent surface for eternity.

I never noticed the vase until my mom put it in my room. After that, the day started and ended with my Blossom Vase. When I left for college, every item I left behind became a memory I clung to, so I asked my mom to send my vase to me. We bonded over the feeling of being empty, me missing my family and friends, and the vase missing its assigned flowers. As time went by, loneliness started to disappear as new people entered my life and fresh flowers began to occupy the blossom vase.

I guess changes in my life made the vase live up to its designated name because now it actually is blossoming every day. Its curvilinear lips embrace beautiful flowers, providing them with the comfort I used to crave. – Lia P.

French Press

Bodum, Inc., Triengen, Switzerland, circa 2017, plastic, glass, and stainless steel, height: 9.5”

This French press helps me find my center. As I wait for the coffee particles to settle, I slow down and quietly cogitate on life’s ups and downs. The metathinking is possible because I have grown so acquainted with the device’s’ use. It is more than a simple button click. It requires the precise weighing of the solvent and solute, patient standing-by for a two-stage sedimentation, and delicate control of the plunger as to not agitate the substance underneath. One step of deviation and the result will not be pleasant. These requirements demand just the right amount of concentration for me to enter the flow state where I stay stoic. It is a lovely and delightful reality check. – Ben T.

A Set of D&D Dice

Haxtec Dice, United States, circa 2019, resin, glitter, height: 0.6”

Storytelling in Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) cannot be done without dice, which is what my dad taught me when he introduced me to the game. And with these dice, he gets to be part of every campaign I play. When I was a kid, he gave me a hand-me-down set of dice that he had since the 80s. I was convinced they were cursed because my rolls were always abysmal. During my freshman year, my dad sent me this new set of dice. Soon after that gift, I realized my dice were never cursed, it was just me. Despite this, I still loved them. They were merely glitter-filled resin dice, mass-produced, cheap, and ordered on Amazon, but my dad was so excited for me to receive them. It was a small gesture, but it made me feel closer to home even while far away.

I still love the journeys we went on and the stories my dad told me about being a (self-proclaimed) legendary Dungeon Master in his college dorm. Nowadays, I embark on adventures without him, but using these dice is a small way to honor him for the real gift that was my introduction to D&D. – Nicole H.

Satin Floral Pale Ivory AF1

Nike, China, circa 2007, satin blend upper with rubber soles, length 12.5”

Loss is a devastating new beginning, the inexplicable gateway into the next rendition of oneself. A gift from a past life, these shoes are the only pair that remain in their box until the times I choose to wear them. Each time, I am pulling back the lid on my own Pandora’s box. These shoes whisper of a shared life left incomplete, a performance halted before its climax. The elegantly exposed stitching is a reminder of the poorly mended wound left behind when love walked away with little explanation. The collage of embroidered roses stands as nothing more than a muted echo of adventures that can no longer blossom. Yet, I still open that dark lid and allow what is lost to take in this second act with me. With every new step I take in these chains of the past, I forge a stronger and brighter version of myself free of this pain. Loss introduces a multitude of hardships that can feel impossible to overcome. With time that loss will give way to a world that was once inconceivable. A world bred from devastation but a new world nonetheless, so, John, make the most of that new beginning. – John B.

Two Metal Keys

Emtek, Irwindale, California, and CompX National, Greenville, South Carolina, United States, circa 1990’s, nickle and brass, height: 3”

On August 9th, 2020, I watched thousands of lightning bolts flash in the night sky. Over 10,000 hit the California mountains where I lived, lighting the forest ablaze. I was about to lose everything I owned except for the contents of my pockets, these keys included, one a silver house key, the other a bronze mail key.

After that night the days grew hotter, the power went out, and the sky began to darken. But my routine continued. Each day, I used these keys to check the mail and lock the door behind me as I left for work.

When it became hard to breathe outside, my family knew we should leave but we did not want to believe it. Eventually, we got the call to evacuate, grabbed what we could carry, and got in the car as ash rained from the sky. That was the last time I locked the door to my childhood home.

Besides the few things we grabbed, these keys are all that remain of that place. Never once did I imagine they would hold so much value. Keep what you love close, as one day the things beyond your reach may turn to ash. – Michael A.

Sajada

Aydin, Istanbul, Turkey, circa 2018, polyester, cotton, and foam, length: 42”

If you knew you were leaving home indefinitely, what object would you bring with you?

For me, it is my prayer mat, also known as a Sajada. It makes any place feel like home.

2018, Philadelphia: I was an indecisive 17-year-old, unsure of where life would take me. This prayer mat’s cushion became a source of comfort as I navigated my way through high school.

2019, Jeddah: After graduation, a visit to Saudi Arabia turns to hell as I zigzag between my American and Arabian identity. The Sajada served as a source of acceptance and stability. 

 2021, Istanbul: A deserted college campus, mutters of Turkish outside the door and the meows of cats outside the window. How did I get here? What comes next? The Sajada gave me peace by reminding me that life is a journey, and everything will be okay.

2022, Philadelphia: I am back home now. Attending my dream school and finally in a place of stability. And to this day, like an old friend, I return to it.

Regardless of the trouble I was going through, the Sajada was the place where I found my solution. – Jouri G.

Polaroid Onestep Close Up Camera

Polaroid, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, circa 1990s, plastic, glass, and aluminum, height: 6.3”

This camera has been passed down from my father to record important moments in my life away from home. However, as much as I capture the present moments again and again, I reminisce to the past. The past was where my family and I were together, living in shared moments, good or bad, eating food together, and experiencing one another’s lives as a family. In our family’s photo album, there is an image of the time heavy snow fell in Cincinnati, Ohio. My brother and I, off from school, made little snow caves together. We lit paper in these snow caves to imitate being in an actual cave we would make if we had the necessary tools and resources for it. That picture serves as a place of solitude. Our lives were simpler and safe. As I look at pictures captured by the Polaroid, 6895 miles apart from my family, I know that they are with me and rooting for me. – Chan-Kyoo H.

Paint Palette

Artist’s Loft, circa 2015, plastic, diameter: 6.89”

An ever-changing work of art—that is what this palette is. When born, we are a blank slate. The events we experience color our being and personality. There is history in my palette. If I did not make some lackluster attempts to wash it, there would be hundreds of paint layers. If you peeled back those layers, you would find happiness, hope, loneliness, love, heartbreak, and many more emotions hidden in the colors. Early high school is reflected in the blues and golds of my first real painting, paired with the giddiness of meeting two girls who would become my best friends. Another notable layer is filled with greens, yellows and oranges, from a rendition of Van Gogh’s Bulb Fields. At that point, my life was blooming much like the flowers in this painting. Senior year appears as many blues, pinks, and purples from a time in my life where my future was promising but murky. The top layer reflects my third year in college after painting a self-portrait. Bright colors paired with some greys. These are the most recent colors of me: a little burnt out, nervous for life after school, but happy, nonetheless. – Chelsea B.

Wet Pot System

Lasse Svedenstedt, Sweden, circa 2018, terracotta clay and glass, height: 5.2”

Around two years ago, my partner gifted me a self-watering planter named the Wet Pot Systems. It gifts its user the luxury of enjoying the beauty of plants without taking care of them. I was one step closer to achieving the plush green home of my dreams. Excited to use this, I planted a small plant I got from Trader Joe’s which I watered whenever necessary. Within a month, I was shocked to find my once green lively plant turned brown, shriveled, and flakey.

Maybe I have a brown thumb or maybe the pot was faulty. Either way, that was the last time I tried taking care of plants. The planter now sits empty on my windowsill and, every time I look at it, I tell myself I am going to use it in my next apartment where ideally, there will be tons of sunlight. Unfortunately, deep down I know it is waiting for me to find the courage to reignite my passion for plants again. I do not know if or when that will happen. – Elliott S.

Jade Necklace

China, circa 2009, white jade, string, length: 12.3”

Life is always moving, leaving us in constant motion as we go about our everyday lives. Has an object ever made you stop to consider what is most important to you? One such moment for me involved my jade necklace. I was rushing for the bus when suddenly the string snapped, leaving the two stones falling lifelessly to the ground. When they got separated from me it was as if a part of me got lost. I had never paid much attention to the necklace before as it was just another accessory that I wore. At the moment it broke, time and life stood still. I realized that this necklace was not just some dingy old stones and a string, but a sign of protection and love given to me by my mother. I headed back home and waited for my mom to fix it. Moments like these can make us wonder how other small things engage us in our busy lives and, sometimes, give us a moment to appreciate these sentimental values. – FuYao L.

Jamaican Hinge Lid Box

circa 20th century, wood, and red velvet fabric, height: 3”

This box is a sore spot. It once protected a future with someone. Now, it scolds what could have been, its red velvet interior flashing at me. Back then, the floral relief conjured the comforting essence of the handwritten notes and small cut out photos the container held. It echoed the softness and kindness in the words written only for me. The flowers swirl and swoop around the edges of the lid, they flow with such ease and shift in shape from the handcrafted technique. Now, the sight of this makes my tongue taste like salt and I struggle to let the hurtful and deep feelings go. Even though this object is currently hurting me, it reminds me I need to change. I must remember it only follows me and will not always hurt me. – Natalia B.

Brother Computerized Sewing Machine CS-6000I

Brother, China, 2003, plastic and metal, height: 11.4”

What do you feel as you create? A burning sensation, a rush of adrenaline, or maybe a voice in your head guiding you? As I push down the pedal and change the setting on my sewing machine, I am creating a figment of my imagination. Watching the metallic foot create a continuous pattern against the beautiful silk or cotton material, I feel excitement enter my body as I see what I am capable of. I am in control and the machine just follows my direction with no idea of where it is going or its purpose. Through every curve, corner, hem, and finish, the machine completes all my tedious tasks, becoming a different machine each time I change its settings. The sewing machine has helped manifest my life since I was eight years old; it helps me find myself. Without its purpose here, I do not know how I would feel in this world. Would I be an underdeveloped person who never found their identity? We are so focused on the finished products that devices like this allow us to create that we lack appreciation for the actual machines themselves. That said, I present to you my collaborator, the sewing machine. – Mayori H.

Wallflower

Bath & Body Works, United States, 2020, plastic, height: 4”

When I reflect on the life cycle of this plastic wallflower, I cannot help but think about my own. The two sea turtles representing a mother and child remind me of my mother and the memories we share. But what will happen to this piece when it is broken? The wallflower is slowly dying, losing more of its scent with each use. Once it finally breaks, this object will be taken to a landfill and its once beautiful scent will be lost forever inside its plastic casing and left to decompose for hundreds of years.

What about me? Will my actions hold enough value to last a hundred years or more? Or will I, too, simply be left to decay and be forgotten once my story comes to an end? I like to think that the impacts we make on the world will sustain the test of time, but how can we be certain? Our loved ones will tell their children about who we were and share memories of us with them. However, I cannot stop wondering when that generational pattern of memory sharing will, itself, come to an inevitable end. – Marie G.

Half Gallon Water Jug

Igloo Productions Corp., Katy, Texas, United States, circa 2017, plastic, height: 11.5”

She came to me as a gift, her royal blue casing shining brightly as my team yelled “surprise” to us newbies. Her side was adorned with my name spelled out in white lettering and her handle held blue and white tulle to showcase school spirit. I knew from the moment I laid my eyes on her she would be more than a jug to me, more than something I used to quench my thirst after long hours of practice. In that moment, I knew that she was proof I had what it took to be a dancer.

Three years later, she is still my proof. Instead of my name, her side now holds my audition numbers from my Drexel Dance Team tryouts. Instead of tulle, her handle is dull and scratched from constant use.

She tells the story of my dance journey: my very own time capsule. Every time I look at her, I am reminded of my past. Every time I use her, my feet are moving, and my heart is beating alongside the music. And every sticker I add is a step towards my future.

Wherever my dance journey takes me, she will be there. – Natalee M.

Grandmom’s pendant

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, gold, height: 1”

A lonesome pendant designed to symbolize the religion of Christianity. When first glanced upon, it has a slight shine, but when you look the closer, you can see that some crystals are missing. Dust and a collection of dead skin cells have settled within the crevices. This pure gold 14k pendant belonged to my grandmom Ernestine. For as long as I could remember, she wore it every day. She ate, slept, and showered with it on. It laid between her collar bones, eventually became a part of her, until the day she left the world, on Palm Sunday in 2017. It was more than a belonging, but was something that held her spirit; it is still a part of her. Not fully grieving from my grandpop’s death less than two months prior, I started to wear this necklace to carry my religion close to my heart. Your loved ones are never completely gone. In spirit, they are always watching over you. – Sanai S.

Plaza Wirebound Sketchbook

Plaza Art, Nashville, Tennessee, United States, white bond paper, metal wire, height: 11”

Is this sketchbook a tool for creativity, or is it creativity’s origin? This question sits in my mind every time I flip through its pages. I originally bought it two years ago for my very first online design class at Drexel. I used it to take notes, remember lecture details, and express the first versions of project ideas. Very often, when we see someone using their sketchbook, we assume they purchased it because they are an artist. Almost immediately, we categorize ownership of the object as a reflection of one’s identity—the sketchbook is subsidiary to the person, like an accessory. However, with time I have realized that my sketchbook has had a very special impact on who I am. It has become a way for me to think—not merely a tool for representing the world around me, but an active method of understanding it. My sketchbook decides my identity, instead of reflecting it. Now, when I purchase new sketchbooks, I do so not because I am an artist, but because I hope to become one. – Taylor S.

Seiko SNK795 Automatic Watch

Seiko Time Corp., 1997, metal, leather, acrylic, length: 9.25”

How do we experience time? I feel it gently pass as I put the watch against my ears and hear the ticking of the balance wheel. Or I see it progress, in a cyclical manner as the hands spin around and around. Every time I look at my father’s watch, it has become something new, displaying something different, changing itself with the current of time, but always in a constant manner. Its hardened jewels and precious metal casing cement my frame of reference by pushing and pulling me back to a never changing constant of 21,600 bph. This watch has accompanied me through various journeys along the ebb and flow of passing time. Without fail, this small beating heart I wear on my wrist comforts me when I look at it, reassuring me through its shimmering dial and crystal that I exist, I am here, and I am progressing. – Koya C.

Red Brita Filter

BRITA, Taunusstein, Germany, 2008, plastic, height: 9.37”

To me, a full Brita pitcher is an act of self-care. I have dealt with depression for some time, and there are rough mornings when I cannot bring myself to do much. But in those moments, the first thing I try to do is power myself up and at least get some water in my system. As it fills, thin streams of newly purified water flow to the pitcher below like a liquid hourglass—but instead of time, it measures how fresh and hydrated I will feel for the day. I take a sip; my throat loosens, my head lightens, and my skin starts to clear up. To have a day’s worth of pure water after a small amount of effort reminds me that while doing what is best for your mind and body can at times seem hard and even impossible, the reward is right around the corner and will always come through tenfold. – Ibrahim K.

Titleist NXT Tour S Golf Ball

Titleist in association with VANIR, Fairhaven, Massachusetts, United States, circa 2016, fusablend cover over rubber core, height: 1.585”

What happens to those things we do not grow attached to, items that follow us through our pivotal years without a hint of purpose besides, “it was there”?

The bottom of a teenager’s backpack is a mysterious locale. What inhabits that desolate space? For me, a golf ball. Other things, too: a couple of poker chips, a pencil or two, and a shocking amount of rubber turf. These each mean something, though; the first friend I made after moving across the country gave me those chips, the pencils’ lengths were my measurement of how long through the school year I was, and the turf held memories of long afternoons competing in soccer and then track and field. The golf ball, however, tells no story. It has rolled around aimlessly for years at the bottom of that backpack. Honestly, I have no idea when or where I got it, nor can I claim any meaning for it.

Some of the things we carry with us play no part in our lives. They do not mean anything, but we should celebrate that because maybe no one else will. So, cheers; here is to the memories we did not make along the way. – Elliot F.

Coach Backpack

Coach, Philadelphia, United States, circa 1990s, natural glove-tanned cowhide leather, height: 13”

How does something turn into a living memory? Every scratch, every stain, every peel of the leather here represents growth from core memories that shaped the woman I am today. My mother had no idea the gift she was bestowing upon me with this vintage Coach backpack. My mother raised me with a shared love for vintage, always reminding me, “Everything has a story, Samantha. You just have to find it.” Well, find it, I did. I found my life story. From the moment I put the backpack on as a girl starting middle school, it has never left my shoulders. My backpack is my companion, having been through my side since high school, moving cross country alone, a pandemic, and more. All of those life journeys are reflected in the aging leather. People may see the countless scratches as a sign of neglect or disrespect but they attest to the bag’s durability and development for me. Life certainly has not been easy, but I am better for the difficulty. So is my backpack. – Samantha H.

One Piece – Roronoa Zoro Figure (WT100 Commemorative Eiichiro Oda Illustration)

Bandai Spirits, Japan, circa 2022, ABS and PVC Plastic, height: 6.7”

Who or what determines the value of a gift? Is it the person that gives it or the person that receives it? Is the value predetermined by monetary value? Is it determined by the sentiment behind the gift?

Zoro is a gift. He is a gift from a friend that marked a milestone in our lives. His sturdy frame is a representation of his character, that which is determined and immovable. He stands as a reminder of our strong bond that approaches a decade and of our increasingly improving paths in life.

As a member of the Straw Hat Pirates, a bunch of eccentric individuals that support each other and never give up, Zoro represents the time in my life when I was lonely and how I used that anime to keep trucking forward.

Zoro is proudly presented to others in a well-maintained manner due to the tender care I have handled him with.

He may not have been gifted to me with those values, but his value is ever growing. It is not a value able to be determined by me, my best friend, or money. The potential value of this gift is limitless. – Erika T.

9 Palace Bagua Charm

Feng Shui Art and Gift, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States, 2020, plastic, polyester, turquoise bead, silver, height: 3.75”

A symbol of my mother’s unwavering love, this battered and tarnished talisman reflected the apprehension and concern surrounding my departure from home a year after the first COVID-19 lockdowns. Days before Chinese New Year, the revelation of my impending misfortune motivated my mother to purchase this $15 gold charm from the Feng Shui master. The engraved abstract motifs echoed her prayers for protection as I planned to live away from home for nearly two years. Underneath loose receipts, wallets, and other miscellaneous items, the talisman always stayed at my side. Through amazing adventures and challenging situations, I felt an inexplicable feeling of safety and comfort while carrying this key chain. On the key ring of a hot pink pepper spray, this lusterless talisman hallmarks my perseverance as I endured the physical and emotional hardships of 2021. Even as my fortune changes, I carry this Bagua charm, praying for my well-being and safety in the future. – Katelyn H.

Leather Crossbody

Most Wanted, United States, 2019, leather, height: 7”

Once hidden deep inside my closet, this leather crossbody is now a possession that I will cherish forever. I received this crossbody bag in 2019, but I had not used it until 2022. There was no purpose because it was small and inconvenient, or so I thought.

In April, my family got a German Shepherd. I have never owned a dog, so it was a new experience for me. The best memories are when I get to walk with him, but I cannot be empty handed. What if he wants a snack? Or if I wanted to take a picture of a precious moment? I needed a bag that was light and easy to carry. There was no thought when I first chose my leather crossbody, but as I consistently walked my dog, it was the only one I picked.

Seven months later, it is still a part of my dog walk routine. The thoughts I have when I see this bag revolve around my dog and how much we have bonded in a short period. It carries so little, yet it delivers what is needed for that small amount of time. – Rachel M.

Denman Hairbrush

Denman, Bangor, Northern Ireland, circa 2017, plastic, rubber, nylon, length: 8.35”

Every time that I use this hairbrush, I am reminded of the long, painful journey I began five years ago to love my curly hair. Growing up, I felt ugly because my hair was not silky smooth and straight. I would aggressively comb the curls out before school or ask friends to straighten them because my mother refused.

My journey began when my mother gifted me this hairbrush and taught me how to take better care of my hair. Starting out, I easily became frustrated because my hair was lifeless, and I hated seeing it that way. I would give up constantly, but my mother remained supportive and encouraged me to trust the process. Over time, I underwent a drastic change. In the span of five years, limp waves turned into luscious curls, and frustration turned into acceptance.

When I look at this brush now, I see the wear on the rubber cushioning, the nylon bristles that are bent and crooked but still stand proudly. I realize that I was not alone in this journey. As I changed, my brush changed with me. Although we do not look the same as before, we are still ourselves. – Theresa M.

Focalin 10mg Tablet

KVK-TECH INC., circa 2022, dexmethylphenidate, diameter: 0.24’’

You missed some slides in class and need to catch up, take the pill. You have an essay due tonight by 12, take the pill. Edit your photos, take the pill. The class is over, the work is done, you have not eaten today and your heart is racing, but tomorrow you will take the pill. Through trial and error, through existential contemplation on the nature of learning, this pill has been my friend and my enemy. When I was just a GPA being filed into the colleges’ application system, I would have said, “Fuck this pill. Fuck this stupid steppingstone that raises me to level of my peers.” It is not like that anymore; math and science classes are no longer a measure of my life’s worth. I study and learn what I want to; maybe the system is still not built for me but at least I can be happy in it. This pill will forever and always be a part of myself. Maybe someday I will stop taking it, but this label is due tomorrow. – Theo Z.

“Xenoblade Chronicles” Wii Game

MonolithSoft, Bandai Namco, Tokyo, Japan, circa 2007, plastic and cardboard, height: 7.4”

This box contains the videogame “Xenoblade Chronicles” for the Nintendo Wii. I originally received the game in 2012 for my birthday. I played it but did not quite understand it. Seven years later as a freshman in college I rediscovered the game. I could not put the game down. I lent the game to someone I built up to be more than they were. Together we built our relationship up to be more than we were. Then the pandemic hit and all that came crumbling down in an explosive fashion. I never expected to see the game again. I thought it lost to the graveyard of gifts. I was never able to get this game out of my head. I wanted it back. Two years later, this game served as closure for two people who never expected to speak again. Now this game sits on my dresser, a reminder of good and bad times, of people lost and found. – Walter K.

Pizza Hut Ash Tray

circa 1970, Soda-lime glass, screen-printed red ink, width: 4”

Look into the glass. What do you see? One might see wavy light refractions, a textured surface from how the glass was molded, and a residual diffusion of the red Pizza Hut logo. What else? There are four grooves for cigarettes to rest around the rim. There is a central, smooth, round bowl to catch multiple hours’ worth of ash and cigarette butts. As it silently rests in its physical form, this ashtray begs to speak of the life it has lived. If we were to give it a voice, it would recount hundreds of shared conversations between friends and family at a 1970s Pizza Hut. Surrounded by steaming pizza and buttery breadsticks, this ashtray politely held its patrons’ cigarettes and promoted its place of work by proclaiming, “Quality Reigns Supreme.” Full of ash and touched with greasy fingers, this ashtray was repeatedly emptied, washed, and reused until 2005 — the year Yum! Brands, the parent company of Pizza Hut, announced they would ban indoor smoking from their establishments. Today, this ashtray exists with one purpose: to share the memory of when the aroma of pizza and tobacco smoke mingled with the sounds of light-hearted conversation. – Michael O.

George Bison Leather Bi-Fold Wallet

Walmart, India, circa 2015, synthetic leather, length closed: 4.3”

Scars are a means by which we heal old wounds.

Like the half-moon patterns that decorate my rib cage, the faux leather of my unassuming brown wallet is covered in its own scar tissue. Such marks remain the only external indicators on both of our carefully crafted exteriors — the sole warning of what lies beneath our surfaces. Often, I am forced to pry open its stippled leather lining and bring forth the various cards that lie inside. Opening these compartments and revealing the contents feels like exposing my nerves — like I am unraveling my chest and allowing others to peer inside. I fear the judgmental eyes that may scan my identification cards and brand me a liar — eyes that feel like the calculated slice of the scalpel and the dull throb of recovery.

My wallet is the keeper of my identity, the window into a past I often find myself longing to forget. It is an object which possesses power over me — a reminder that though I may try, I can never truly escape my origins. Both of us reflect the mars of our past — the scars that have healed but will never go away. Our histories have marked us. – Matthew M.

Three-Tiered Bamboo Stand

Design by Rachel, 2021, bamboo, height: 32.28”

This shelf, a representation of the familiarity of the home I miss and the people I love, helped me through uncertain moments when I felt like a shell of myself. It was a difficult thing for me to go away to school. At home, I knew how to play my part within the cast of my life; when I went away to college, I did not know what that was. Each tier holds treasured objects that remind me of my family’s unconditional support and encouragement. On days when I feel discouraged, I look over to find my shelf standing tall, reminding me of my support system. As I continue to grow, I often find myself reflecting on the bittersweetness of this period of my life; I have become a whole new person, yet I am just the same as I was. When I look over at my bamboo shelf, I remember that I am not on this journey alone. – Madeline M.

Giant Stuffed Bear

circa 2003, plain cloth and stuffing, height: 32”

When does a childhood friend become obsolete? Is it when that childhood ends with them? After “My Home” became “Father’s Home,” my life was already in the motion of change. Seeing my friend in my closet amongst moving boxes and a PillowPet, I grabbed the bear as I left for the last time. He did not have a name, merely referred to as Him, yet He was the most important friend to me at that time. I remember sleeping on His fat potbelly, packed to the brim with stuffing. I wrapped his loose arms around me, like a makeshift hug and kissed his felt nose with the sweetness and innocence of a six-year-old girl. Then came the “I am too old for toys” stage where He was left in a closet to rot with mismatched socks and broken crayons. His shiny fur, now dingy with age, and loose strings that flop around him evidence neglect. He was too big for the washing machine, so He smells like a stuffy room. Now, He lays on my bed with pillows as decoration or on the floor with other stuffed gifts from those who do not know me well enough. – Rachael M.

Jade Pendant Necklace

Guangzhou, China, circa 2001, black nylon string, nephrite jade, length: 14.5”

It was not until my family was breaking apart that I felt the urge to wear this necklace again. This jade necklace has been with me since I was 2 months old. My grandmother came back from China and gave this necklace to me as a good luck charm. Every member of my family has always worn jade jewelry, yet my necklace went unworn for many years. Being born and raised in America, I was disconnected from my family and my culture. I felt separate from them. I did not speak Chinese fluently, I did not grow up in an Asian neighborhood, and I did not want to wear this necklace. But now, this necklace reminds me of my family. It reminds me of a time when we were strong and together. Even when everything went wrong, the jade is as perfect and beautiful as the day I got it. Now I find comfort in its cold, smooth surface whenever I touch it. I find comfort in its honesty, with its interior flaws always showing through its translucent surface. I find comfort looking at it, as a reminder of my family always hanging close to my heart. – Bryant L.

Frog Hat

LamimiBoutique, Clarksburg, Maryland, United States, December 2021, acrylic yarn, diameter: 12”

“Yes, but are you going to wear it?” my mother asked when I sent her the link to my green crocheted friend. She wanted to ensure it would not eventually be thrown into an old drawer, collecting dust like forgotten objects in antique stores.

Although I do not wear him often, he shines brightly from my desk and prevents dark grey clouds from forming and raining in my head. What a ridiculous thought, a strawberry adorning the top of a frog. The absurdity of it all elicits a smile and provokes laughter from my lungs.

My amphibian buddy in yarn may seem childish to you, but he helps comfort and nurture a younger version of myself — one of the purest hearts I knew. As I have grown older, my inner child is still the same in my soul, nagging her parents for that fluffy stuffed animal and to hold her close. A part of us is healed whenever I look at my hat, and I find myself indebted to an item my mother thought had no use. – Anna M.

The Splat Ball

Splatback Toy Company, United States, circa 2007, thermoplastic rubber filled with filtered water, 1.5 ounces

I was in a check-out line when I noticed colorful packaging that said, “Splat Ball.” My mind immediately traveled back to the fourth grade.

I was walking down a street with my family in Venice, Italy. Between stores, I spot a man repeatedly chucking a metallic gold object to the ground. Splat, splat, SPLAT — I could hear the object as it flattened. On a blanket next to him resided an assortment of objects and, as a boy discretely picked up an object and handed the man money, I understood he was selling things illegally. As I walked to him to learn more about that splatting object, he shooed me away, and pointed at a policeman. Before I knew it, he had grabbed all corners of the blanket and ran away. I was determined to know what that object was and own it, so I did not give up, no matter what my mom kept saying. When he came back, I bought my own golden toy shaped like a pig. It felt like nothing I had ever played with before, being the perfect middle ground between a bouncy ball and slime. It was my favorite souvenir from that trip, but I have no idea where it ended up.

I am back at the store, in the process of paying for my materials and a new splat toy. – Valeria M.

Thorned Bottle Opener

Thomas D., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, 2020, redheart hardwood and steel, height: 3”

This bottle opener is an unordinary object you would not see in everyone’s kitchen, which makes it such a fun and interesting object to use. It appears to be a sharp object with rough points but is actually a very smooth and soft texture, it feels extremely comfortable in the hand. The grooves on the front of the object give the hand a welcoming feeling when in use, as the object fits a hand perfectly into it. So the object not only takes an interesting spin on the design of a bottle opener by not only tackling aesthetics but comfortability as well. The bottle opener is also a huge representation for me as a designer because it is the first product I created with wood that mainly sparked my interest in woodworking. I have had school assignments where I had to work with wood, but this is my first creation where I could make something useful while designing with my own aesthetic. So this product is not only a handy and comfortable product around the house, but it is also a personal reminder to me of how I got into my passion. – Tom D.

“More Games for the Superintelligent”

James F. Fixx, Fawcett Popular Library, New York, United States, 1977, paperback, height: 6.8”

Upon first glance, this book seems rather arrogant, challenging the reader with bright colors and begging the question: are you superintelligent? But it is the state of this book that is as interesting as the puzzles within. Stains and scratches are scattered around the cover, evidence of the book’s travel. Were you to lift the cover’s top edge, you would find it to be well on its way to falling off. But this disconnect is more than just literal, can you see it? 

Despite the condition of the cover, the pages lie perfectly flat, and the binding is unbothered by curious hands. There are no pencil marks or dog-eared pages: hardly any evidence that anyone has played these games. Except, the spine has a single, revealing crease. By gently prying the pages open, this crease is a guide to the beginning of the fifth chapter: “Mathematics, misery, and pure joy.”

Suddenly, we know something about the previous owner who was interested in proving their math skills and more intrigued by pure joy than threatened by misery. With close examination and five words, this book captures a story that has nothing to do with superintelligence. – Tom G.

Raincoat Cat & Umbrella Mug

Creative Co-Op, Memphis, Tennessee, United States, circa 2019, stoneware, height: 4”

During a Christmas celebration a few years ago, a friend who I had never met presented me with this coffee mug. As a kind gesture to my mother (who this person knew quite well), they wanted to buy gifts for her children, choosing what they presumed we would find interesting. Knowing that I am a habitual coffee drinker and have an affection for felines with black fur coats, she gifted this glossy, 14-ounce stoneware cup with a charming illustration of a cat printed on it. Beyond acknowledging the kindness of a stranger, I did not think much about the gift, mindlessly adding it to my collection of decorative mugs.

About a year afterwards, the pandemic raged and consequentially I got trapped inside. Believing that the world was a rotten, uncaring, and selfish place, I grew lonely, pessimistic, and bitter. I started taking regular coffee breaks as a repose from life, and that was when I rediscovered the forgotten mug. I recalled the act of generosity from the friend I had never met, and, for a moment, my optimism persevered. Pouring coffee into the mug, I slowly sipped the drink, and calmly savored what little happiness I found. – Roger K.

Rainbow Pin

Bianca Designs, circa 2021, die-struck iron metal, height: .75”

When you are raised by traditionalist immigrants, there is a certain fear that rings inside your brain when it comes to being outside the norm. It breathes down your neck and whispers to you, “What if …?”

Now it is usually clear what this colorful piece of metal means about the owner. Yet when I was purchasing this pin, I felt it was a little too obvious. An entire rainbow? Something more subtle would have been more comfortable. As I stood there, a wave of overwhelming thoughts and anxiety came crashing down on me with all the things that could go wrong. I was overdramatic, perhaps, but for a good reason: I was back at home with my parents.

All my friends knew I tore it off my bag each time I went home, constantly reminding me to remove it before leaving. Then one day, I stopped. I wanted to know if they would notice. They did not. It may sound silly, but now it feels like a small protest in the form of a piece of metal. – Molyna T.

EVGA GeForce RTX 3080

NVIDIA, 2020, aluminum, paint on plastic, height: 5.38”

How much does an object’s obtainability affect the respect it receives from its owner? For 3D artists in 2021, acquiring a powerful graphics card was next to impossible due to manufacturing issues created by COVID-19. For those unfamiliar with this computer component, think of it as a digital artist’s paint brush … if the paint brush set you back hundreds of dollars and was sold-out in every art store worldwide. The scarcity was so severe that receiving this RTX 3080 was the most thrilling aspect of beginning my first job as an animator for the “Call of Duty” video game franchise. Unfortunately, those thrills were short lived. Within seconds of powering on my new machine, the screen greeted me with strobing green pixels and flashing red stripes — a clear sign of a malfunctioning graphics card. These are the situations that normally result in sleepless nights scouring internet forums for answers. However, after just one frantic Zoom call with my supervisor, a fresh card was shipped out and the broken card was discarded to a pile of clothes in my closet. I am ashamed of how easily I disrespected this object when a replacement was just one IT support ticket away. – Lucas T.

Light-up Spiky Ball

Target, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, 2022, rubber and plastic, diameter: approx. 2.5”

Can objects be gatekeepers? No one would have thought that this light-up spiky ball, which looks banal, uninteresting, and unappealing, could bring a plethora of joy to whoever discovers its secret. The entire surface of the ball is covered in what appears to be pointy spikes, which make it looks uncomfortable to interact with and even dangerous. However, to the daredevils and those who are brave, there is something in those spiky balls that appeals to them, that attracts them to do something that most people do not — to touch the spikes and hold the ball. But, surprisingly, those who have the courage to pick up the ball are not punished by the pointy spikes. Instead, the ball rewards them with an out-of-this-world feeling as their tactile sense is continuously simulated by the pointy spikes. The longer they hold and play with the ball, the more joy is inflicted upon them. Only those who prove themselves to be courageous and unprejudiced are deemed worthy of enjoying the pleasure that the light-up spiky ball brings. – Quinn K.

Tan Vans

Vans, Costa Mesa, California, United States, circa 2021, felt, canvas, cloth, and rubber, length: 11.4”

Shoes support the creators of our world. But what is a creator?

A creator is someone, or something, that helps to develop an aspect of life. Shoes could be considered creators. Shoes give people the comfortability they need to explore the world, from which memories form. They help me have fun and create memories, and in return they get dirtied, marked up, and take on the physical aspect of these creations, these memories. I have memories of riding my electric longboard 20 miles an hour down the empty streets of the city of brotherly love and happily walking to class with friends, after hanging out and eating lunch beforehand. The marks on my Vans represent times, both good and bad, through the struggle of college, and through the struggle of maintaining relationships. As memories tend to fade after a while, so will the coloring on these shoes, but the marks will only grow more prominent.

These shoes have memories of their own. – Kyle D.

Debit Card

Bryn Mawr Trust, circa 2018, plastic, width: 2.3”

When I was eight years old my mother died, and people said, “I’m so sorry.”

When I was 10 years old my widowed father lost his job, and people said, “It will get better.”

Four years later, he was still unemployed. We struggled to have birthdays and Christmas and heat in the winter, and people asked, “Do you need anything?”

I realized at this point that I hated instability. I hated pity and dependence and limitations. I needed to never feel pitied, unstable, or unable again.

At 15 years old, I got my first job. I saved half of every single paycheck. People started saying, “Wow, you’re mature for your age.”

At 18 years old, I got my first debit card. My friends with stable, wealthy families said, “Took you long enough.” But I knew the difference between my cards and theirs was this one was mine.

Today, I pay my rent, tuition, groceries, and utilities. I fund nights out, my dates, and my coffee trips. When I am surrounded by peers doing the same, people do not tend to say much. Honestly, I am pretty okay with that. – Phoebe S.

Gromit Mug

Half Moon Bay, China, circa 2022, ceramic, height: 5.32”

The way those crooked eyes stare, his look only became off-putting as I took the time to really inspect it. The mug I had used for so long had always been looking, but it had faded into the background of my day-to-day life. Every morning this mug would be where I poured my coffee, every morning those crooked eyes and slightly bled paint were right there. Such small painting mistakes are so easily overlooked in its daily use, but it is what made this mug’s character, and its gaze come to life.

The first few times I drank from its obtuse form were slightly cumbersome, but eventually that too gave way and faded into obscurity. The mundane ritual had no concern for it its shape or features, yet those eyes were always there, staring. It was only when I took a step back to examine the mug that I saw its gaze, and finally I began to stare back. – Matt M.

Broken Pink Cat Teaser Wand

Greenbrier International, Inc., Chesapeake, Virginia, United States, 2021, plastic, fur, fabric, length: 15”

A bond and dependency develop between my cat Mamartos and his first cat toy.

On a Sunday morning, a fuzzy little kitten encounters his first toy, a pink cat teaser wand. He seems to approach this thing carefully since he has never seen anything like it. This pink rod with fur strips might be of some danger, and it is so much bigger than his body. As he sniffs and walks around, he finally slaps the fur strips lightly. A half minute later, he is rolling on the floor and biting the toy.

A few months later, Mamartos is now finally the same size as the teaser wand. He has become too big and strong for this wounded toy. I bought many new toys for him and do not use the broken teaser wand to play with him anymore.

But one night, I woke up and found this cat toy on my bed with this sleeping kitten. I can imagine how he cherishes the toy by holding it to sleep. I began to see how much this broken cat toy meant to him, a bond that makes him feel comfortable and secure. – Ling Z.

Paracelsus (Guilty Gear)

Joey M. and Steve B., 2022, PVC pipe, height: 6’2”

The makings of an art piece can make you reflect upon the amount of time, effort, and learning that went into it. This key shows me the results of making something with the help of others with the same passion. Memories flood back to me every time I look at this piece: how I tried to hot glue the eyes in equal places, carefully painting red near the edges, having paper towels around it in the dead of night, and scrambling to figure out how to do splatters for painting, to the lengthy process of covering every crevice of the key with yellow spray paint and waiting for it to dry. And that is not even counting the weeks of effort making the framework with my grandfather. But even then, thoughts of doubt haunted my mind. I thought to myself, “I should have done this” or “maybe this material would have been better.” This drives me towards improving what I can do and helps me anticipate issues that will come up in future projects. This object is my key to improvement on other projects like it, and I could not be happier with my perfect imperfection. – Joey M.

Mortar and Pestle

Isaac A., 2022, walnut and maple, height: 4.5”

I created this piece for an assignment that focused on remastering mortar and pestles of the modern day, but had no intention of making this a usable work. Based on the class assignment and the techniques we were learning at the time, I developed a desire to learn how to use the lathe, the machine I used for this piece. The lathe is a tool that attaches and spins any firm material, whether it is glued together or all natural. The process of learning how to use different tools and new processes was a very eye-opening experience, and creating this piece gave me a new passion in design. While having never been used, the piece stems from the concept of a more natural use of materials that enhances daily life at home. As of September 2022, the pestle portion located in the middle of the mortar has been removed, but the mortars themselves can still be utilized as bowls for meals, as well as decorative pieces for the kitchen or home. – Isaac A.

The Globe LEGO Set

Guillaume Roussel, LEGO, 2022, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (hard plastic), height: 16”

One might look at this artwork as a child’s toy. When I look at it, I see myself as a woman engineer remembering why I want to pursue a STEM field career.

My first engineering class at Drexel consisted of two women and 20 men. Like many students, I lost myself in the fast-paced courses and soon found myself unprepared for finals. I realized I needed a stress reliever. I bought The Globe LEGO set in hopes it would remind me that engineering should be fun. It took me six hours to build, but it gave me a sense of relief. I knew an engineering major was going to be hard, but this was only my first term, and I knew I was a good student that would succeed. Even if it did not feel like it, I had to push through to eventually graduate and show young girls that being in the sciences was within their reach. I hope someday to start a program for women in the field to engage with young girls everywhere. – Grace P.

Primula Stovetop Espresso and Coffee Maker

Primula, China, circa 2009, aluminum, height: 7.48”

A new dawn arrives, the sun rises with its beautiful purplish-pinkish hue, a rooster’s call is heard as the sun shines inside the room. A beautiful morning is met with a high-pitched noise disrupting the peace of the home and an aroma of coffee fills the room. A college-aged man and woman walk into a room and pour themselves a mug full. These two students were my mother and father. The item that brought them together was a stovetop espresso maker. The espresso maker rested in the confines of my home for the longest time having served its purpose long ago. Upon packing for my trip to university, my parents rediscovered the machine and gifted it to me hoping that the device that had assisted them through college could do the same for me. My espresso maker carries the legacy of my parents being the first in their families to go to university and me being the first to attend university in the United States. The espresso maker got my parents through difficult times at university and is now doing the same for me. – Elyas H.

EarPods with Lightning Connector

Apple, circa 2012, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, height: 2.7”

Weak, disheveled, and worn-down wires connect into an addictive object filled with my deepest secrets. New and improved inventions come out every other week it seems, but I find myself sticking with these headphones, an object I have used since I was a child sitting in my bedroom scrolling through songs on my tiny audio player. These inexpensive rubber cables connect me to a crucial comfort of my daily life: the music that fills the quiet that the outside world blares towards my thoughts. I feel exhausted and bewildered, much like how these headphones must feel after a long day of continual use only to be thrown into my bag as if they were nothing. I plug the metal end in, turn up the volume as loud as it can go, and discover a lifeline emanating from my phone, pouring into my ears, filling up my body, and protecting me from an overly stimulating world. – Amanda G.

Hamburglar Figurine

McDonald’s, Chicago, Illinois, circa 1995, PVC, height: 3.5”

This Hamburglar figurine is a straggling remnant of a time before anything felt the way it does now. It is from before my world was complex, from when I was safe in the protective arms of childhood. As kids, my sister and I had a Hamburglar-themed card game that was very well-loved, progressively getting worn as the years dragged on. I do not know what became of it; my mom likely donated it in one of the great exoduses of childhood ephemera. Much later, early in the winter of 2021, my only real socialization was with one particular friend from high school. We grew extremely close, and I was content with it only being the two of us. She and I would drive around, just talking to each other while moving through different backgrounds. At one of our antique store stops, I found this figurine in a box of old happy meal toys, and it hit me with an overwhelming wave of nostalgia for playing cards in the basement with my sister. When I look at it now, I am sent back to that winter. In both eras, my world was very small. I still miss the simplicity of it. – Elena P.

Yellow Bubbler

2020, glass, height: 6.25”

Stained with the memories of quarantine, this yellow bubbler reflects the impacts of isolation and how we use objects and substances as a crutch when our mental health waivers.

Formerly a clear glass with a yellow coating bound to the outside of the glass, the yellow bubbler has come full circle. The bubbler’s original pristine yellow, eventually fell away, leaving clear glass behind. As time passed, the grime of everyday use returned the yellow coloration to the glass, if in a less pristine manner.

Always within eyesight, the bubbler existed as an ever-present object of temptation. If not within the eyes’ gaze, the scent flickered in the nose’s sensitive receptors. If not present in a way the senses can perceive, then it danced in the sight of the mind’s ever wandering eye.

Ever loyal, the bubbler acts as a faithful companion when the quiet emptiness of the outside world is too much to bear, and when the world within the self is too loud to stand. We each have our own harmful little habits to reward ourselves for bearing another day, but we must mind the threshold where a reward becomes a routine. – Alex W.

Headless Duck

Ceramic, height: 6”

This duck once possessed terrible power. In an anonymous 2021 surrealist horror film entitled “Bird__God,” this duck served as an idol containing a powerful entity that comes to life. Awakened, he threatens his unsuspecting owner into performing a strange habitual task before freezing back into a statue again. Years later in the film, the owner of the duck questions the nature of the event he saw, the reliability of his senses, and whether he must continue to follow the instructions he was given. Is our sense of perception strong and righteous enough to overpower the attempts we make to distort our memories in defense of ourselves? Can we erase our faith in the same arena of silence from whence it came? P e r h a p s. The duck is not headless in the film. The missing floating head sometimes visits gallery onlookers in their dreams, but so far no one has told what he says. Tell us. Tell us. Here, the duck remains idle and silent. In a world where all gods are silent, how will you decide which ones to fear? – Jon V.

“Dylan Dog” Comic Book

Tiziano Sclavi, Sergio Bonelli Editore, Milan, Italy, circa 2011, printed book, height: 8.25”

I was first introduced to this “Dylan Dog” comic book on a cool December night in Florence, Italy, right outside a local jazz club by a close friend who made my time abroad quite special. Our time was passing by rapidly and “Dylan Dog” served as a parting gift whose sole purpose was remembrance of shared mornings, cigarettes, acoustic serenades, and homemade plum jam over lightly toasted bread. As I rapidly perused the comic, I could not help but picture my friend entranced by the action-packed graphics and contrasting colors. There I realized that nobody is truly lost forever, that they live on in memory and, in this case, a comic book. Even though I dreaded leaving this person, I felt calm because I knew they would be in my life forever, entangled in Dylan Dog’s grim escapades. – Kio G.

Birthday Bowling Pin

AMF Bowling, Lowville, New York, United States, circa 2006, plastic and wood, height: 15”

Life goes on, but I still miss seeing life like him. On his 10th birthday, bowling and eating crappy pizza with friends and family meant so much to him, and they all gave him a bowling pin and signed it. He loved that pin, swinging an imaginary home run with it and displaying it to spark his inner interior designer (I suppose he sparked mine, too).

But we grew up. I grew up. Something that pin and that boy could never do. All they could do was sit and watch as I took over and they faded. The marks his friends left, the scent of the bowling alley, his curiosity and upbeat attitude — it all faded into the white. I took over this body, and suddenly it was some random pin saying, “Happy Birthday!” Sometimes, I feel so guilty ….

Nevertheless, he remains here with me, somehow—always in the face that smiles on the bottom of the pin, in the marks that stubbornly hold where the white has yet to claim it. And inside, I think he is finding ways to show himself, and poking his head out every now and again to remind me he is not gone, just hiding. – Parker N.

Silver and Red Baseball

Franklin Sports, Stoughton, Massachusetts, United States, circa 2012, thread, pleather, foam, circumference: 8”

This baseball was forgotten, tossed aside thoughtlessly, as if it were worthless. Sure, it is unassuming with spots of imperfection, but it is a far cry to think it deserved to rot in a landfill. Thankfully, my mom agreed and rescued it nearly a decade ago. Maybe once it had a dependable owner, but that time had long since passed. However, I depended on it when everything was changing. It was not the first thing I would find comfort in, nor the second, but it was always there, sitting on my nightstand. It did not need to be anything spectacular; its eye-catching colors did not have to grab my attention like its designers wanted. All it needed to do was stay consistent. Long past when frequently used items broke, relationships dissolved, or five years of last-minute decisions felt suffocatingly uncertain, it stayed. The world reminds us every day that the only reliable thing is change. Despite our best efforts, we cannot avoid it. Rather, we take comfort in the things that are consistent now, despite everything. – Kristina P.

Michael and his Tank

Michael: Ty and McDonalds, 1997–2000, fabric & Tank: Hasboro and Disney, 2003, plastic

Michael and his tank represent the versatility of objects, how with creativity two objects from different design philosophies can be combined to create a greater whole.

Michael is a small yet strong stuffed rhinoceros in a big world. It can take a while for him to get places, so he has a tank to compensate. The tank’s hull can also double as a ship. Michael was always my favorite character as a kid. Upon retrospect, Michael’s imagined attribute of strength was due to him being a minority in a large stuffed animal world. He must be strong to fit in with peers despite his size or other attributes that only he might see. Sometimes he needs a vehicle to help navigate through life. I can relate to Michael as a character, but I can also use him as a fidget when I need to occupy my hands.

An object can represent one’s struggles in life, which can be used to relate and comfort those with said struggles. The tank once had a windshield for the cockpit, but its playability remains the same. – Noah S/U.

Half-Empty Pill Bottle

CVS Pharmacy, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, circa 2022, polypropylene pill bottle, height: 3”

The first evidence of miracles I have ever seen is contained in this bottle. Nearly six years ago, a tiny 25 mg pill eradicated my severe anxiety. Depression crept into the hole it left, leading to a swift increase in dosage to 50 mg.

For a while, 50 sufficed. Everything was easy; therapy did not help me, but taking a pill once a day fixed all my problems. Why put in effort to fix myself when a pill did it for me? But soon, the potency of 50 faded. “It was bound to happen eventually.” Then 75 stopped working soon after. “I guess that I'll just increase my dose periodically for the rest of my life ….”

I am now several months off my medication. In my forgetfulness, I would neglect to take them every day, until eventually I realized that I had grown to a point where I did not really need them.  It is a strange feeling, since the past six years I have been completely dependent on a substance to make me happy. I feel liberated, and in a way, I feel in charge of my own miracles. – Sarah B.

Sand Art

circa 2009, glass, cork, plastic, and sand, height: 4.72”

My mind moonlights as a melancholic memory collector. It works diligently, my best and worst moments illuminated by prized artifacts of my own life history. This sand art is a figure from an earlier volume, a state fair which brings the bittersweet nostalgia of childhood, the miserable weather of early fall with the sweetness of cotton candy in my cavities.

Decorative glass bottles lined stands above small tubs of brightly colored sand at the tables of these fair fixtures. Every year, my grandmother could be found there, standing over me and my cousins as we bickered over colors and patterns, asking her for the opinion we trusted above all others.

In 2014, a world began without my grandmother in it. What began as a fun keepsake became some of my only remaining memories of the woman I loved. Even now, at 20, I make sand art every time I go to the fair. As though I can create more memories with my grandmother despite her not being with me to make them. I kneel at the now-much-shorter table, deliberate through colors, and allow myself to feel small again, when I was brave enough to assume we had forever. – Bella B.

Wrap Snap & Go Rollers

Wrap Snap & Go, United States, 2008, vinyl, length: 9”

Rollers like this one completely transformed and supported my self-esteem. For years, I had been wanting layers, but I knew that they would not look perfect without damaging my hair. So, I avoided the cut and was never happy with how I looked. When a roommate heard my complaints, she handed me a bag filled with rollers and told me they would do the job. I got the haircut but was terrified after washing my hair, scared of how it would turn out after I let it air dry in the rollers. The next morning, I slowly took each one out. My hair looked better than when I got it done. My self-confidence sky-rocketed, and I was happy looking back at who I saw in the mirror. I never thought I would have hair that looks like this, but the fact that I do makes me smile while writing this. – Sofia A.

Keurig K-Slim

Keurig, Burlington, Massachusetts, United States (manufactured in China), circa 2020, plastic and metal, height: 18”

This coffee maker symbolizes the things I have overcome and those that have helped me. In sickness, my father, who is an avid coffee drinker, would always push me to drink it as well. Though he would say this, I never drank it. Throughout all my health problems, my parents were always there to help me when I stumbled. This Keurig reminds me that I have people who care about me, even if it is in a very silly way. It is made of a plastic casing with different metal and plastic mechanisms inside. The buttons, a water tank, and a dispenser on the outside invite me to make coffee, but the machine remains unused in my apartment and will remain that way. Sometimes the most insignificant object can remind us of the most important things in our lives. – Lior D.

Babbo’s Plastic “Marlin”

Hong Kong, circa 1954, acrylic spay and hand-painted blow molded HDPE plastic and cut PET plastic, length: 16.50”

When a strangely cheerful and stylized plastic sailfish turned up in a cardboard box on my first apartment’s doorstep, I knew my father was asking me for a chance to be part of my adult life in his own way. The kitschy fish decoration hails from a set of nine others, all manufactured in the same mold, all sprayed with the same suspiciously warm paint, and all in my father’s possession for over three decades. He calls them marlins, and I know that they are sailfish. His fish decorations are intact, and my fish is missing a tailfin. His sailfish are nailed to vinyl siding on my parent’s house in California and mine hangs above the door of my Philadelphia apartment. For me, this 60-year-old fish decoration—fragile and eternal like a plastic bottle—is more than just that. The sailfish speaks to the similarities between me and my father, from our stubbornness to our mutual love of weird vintage art and our strong sense of independence. By featuring the fish (in all its glory) prominently in my home, I choose to honor my relationship with my father, while honoring my ability to define my boundaries and myself in adulthood. – Sepha S.

Akofena Necklace

Roots Pride, Acworth, Georgia, United States, circa 2022, silver, length: 11”

As someone who grew up shy and nervous regarding new experiences, this necklace reminds me not to turn away from the new and unknown. The akofena symbol represents bravery among the Ashanti people, though I only discovered that two years ago. The symbol’s appearance resembles two blades crossed against each other in an x-like shape, as though one was preparing for battle. During my first year at Drexel University, coming across this unique symbol, I became interested in West African cultures like that of the Ashanti. To any passing stranger, it may resemble a strange plant. But to me, it is almost instantly recognizable. Much like in battle, you never know what to expect, only that you need to face it. For me, this means not turning away from the opportunity to interact and meet new people. Every time I show up at a club or think of reaching out to someone I have not talked to previously, I feel the necklace pressing against my chest and push forward, ready to show people the confident and optimistic person I know I can be. – Marlon F.

Hand Made Stoneware Bowl

Lifease (网易严选), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China, circa 2021, stoneware and kiln, diameter: 7”

The modern systematic mass production of consumer goods draws on simplicity and well-measured consistent shapes for sheer mass production. While mass-produced goods have their appeal, they might incite fatigues from people who wish to have something different. Such fatigue is where this stoneware bowl comes in. The bowl is a curious product that makes me rethink modern mass-produced consumer goods: if when not looking modern is a pitch of its own, what does this says for modern products?

Netease saw the potential to exploit such fatigues and created the Lifease Branch of its own company, targeting middle-class customers. They advertise this stoneware bowl as handmade kitchenware with the “Zen” tagline. The bowl’s rough handmade shapes and its unique dents and minor color gradients (as a result of kiln processing) make the object an exception from modern kitchenware, where shapes and measurements are consistent for mass production. – Gengkang L.

Tin Can

Summer 2022, aluminum, length: 4”

Pain and grief, flight and happiness –– life is encapsulated within the tin can. Like an electrode, the tin can envelops both negatives and positives and has accompanied me through these periods.

When the Great Recession hit, my mother got laid off. Not long after, my father got hurt and was unable to work for some time. Instantly, my juvenile construction of the world crumbled before me. Where spirits are lost, savings diminish, and debts accrue, the tin can becomes a constant. In moments like these, objects taken for granted become more visible. The tin can both became a refuge for hope and an object of scorn. While SpaghettiOs may keep a household afloat, with enough time, all of what you can taste becomes bitter.

With time, things change. In summer 2020, the tin can gained new meaning. On a cross-country road trip, I packed my trunk full of cans. Their affordability and ease offered me opportunity. While traveling the California coast, hiking the mountains of Rainier, and running in the Grand Canyon, the tin can chaperoned me. In experiencing unbounded happiness, I realized that the tin can was not evil like I had once thought. Rather, it was indifferent. – Tom K.

Relapse Awareness Scale Worksheet

Content of Worksheet by Pure Desire, no date (n.d.), paper and ink, width: 8.5”

From worksheet to bookmark and addiction to freedom, things have a way of finding renewed purpose. This simple sheet of paper’s potential supersedes the words on its finite surface and flimsy physical form. This worksheet recounts the struggles and temptations of addictions, providing a scale to measure one’s life against it. It has brought freedom for me, with scribbled blue ink marking my prior struggles. A temporary worksheet, it has found a permanent home nestled neatly between a similarly meaningful series of pages in my Bible. This worksheet, although used as a bookmark, quickly became a landmark reminding me of the sanctifying journey I face every day. As often as I turn to the next page in my reading, this worksheet reminds me of the new chapter of my life. What was once an object of addiction separation is now separating the pages of a life changing book. – Joshua P.

USMC Backpack

Mercury Tactical Gear, Jacksonville, Florida, United States, circa 2001, denier polyester, plastic, metal, height: 23”

How do you measure a life? Is it in the scars we bear or the pain we carry? Maybe it is intangible things others cannot see or the number of loved ones that are no longer with us. How many of our untold stories will fade away and the lives within them?

But you would know. You have witnessed the last ten years of my life as I became a Marine, a student, a father, and more. Each step of the way you helped me carry the burden: invisible but always there supporting me, unwavering and strong. Every broken buckle and gash reminds me how much we have endured. Every place we have been and all we have experienced has left visible traces. Only those who look beyond the superficial may hope to understand our intricacies. You are a reflection of me in many ways: a living record of my life.

My adventures have calmed and you knew you could rest. You have become unusable, but you are more than broken equipment to be discarded. While you may not be alive, I hope to thank you by sharing this small fraction of our story. – Daniel G.