How does the act of collecting shape our understanding of permanence and the transient nature of material culture?

ANSWER: Collecting illuminates the dichotomy between permanence and transience by preserving items deemed culturally or personally significant. It highlights how objects can gain enduring value and narrative over time, despite their inherent material impermanence. This process underscores our desire to capture fleeting moments and history, reflecting both an appreciation for the past and an awareness of the ever-changing nature of culture and value.