Material Afterlife: Circulation, 2009-present.
Trash, mixed media
Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts (UICA), Grand Rapids, MI
Rule of exchange: You can take anything at any time as long as you fill out a survey detailing where it is going.
Material Afterlife: Circulation is an installation made entirely of scavenged trash. Each of the 139 lawns and 70 cars are available to be taken away by gallery visitors at any time. In exchange, visitors must update the whereabouts of the piece for the rest of its or their lives. The journey of each piece is charted on a map based on the information supplied by viewers, playing against the invisible export of trash when it gets thrown “away.” The project investigated whether private information was worth the exchange of a small piece of trash art. It was: within the first day of the exhibition, all pieces were gone.
Installation view
Installation view
Installation view
Individual piece for the taking– if you submit its location information
Individual piece
Individual piece
Individual piece
Individual piece
Individual piece
Map of Material Afterlife’s afterlife
If you have a piece of Material Afterlife, please input its information here.
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Date
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ID#
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City
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State
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Comments/What will you do with it?
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04/10â 08/08/09 |
001
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Lansin
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MI
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I will: display it in my room. Obsess about how things move in circles
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04/10- 08/08/09
|
002
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Boston
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MA
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neighbours forever with #128
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04/10- 08/08/09
|
003
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Grand Rapids
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MI
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I will: play with it. Thanks! From Eli. 5 years old
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04/10- 08/08/09
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004
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Rhinebeck
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NY
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I will: admire and share
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07/20/09
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004B
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Mt. Madonna
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CA
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I will be traveling the country for the next few months. I will send pictures if you want.
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04/10- 08/08/09
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005
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Holland
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MI
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I will: use it for inspiration
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04/10- 08/08/09
|
006
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Ann Arbor
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MI
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I will: think about driving in the desert
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04/10- 08/08/09
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007
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Silver Spring
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MD
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I will: put it on the piano
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04/10- 08/08/09
|
008
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Grand Rapids
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MI
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I will:put it on my desk
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04/10- 08/08/09
|
009
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Grand Rapids
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MI
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I will: put it on display in my rayocat [sic]
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04/10- 08/08/09
|
010
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Grand Rapids
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MI
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I will make it part of a panorama
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04/10- 08/08/09
|
011
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Dowagiae
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MI
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I will: give it to dad
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04/10- 08/08/09
|
012
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Holland
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MI
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Desk art (while employed)
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04/10- 08/08/09
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013
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Grand Rapids
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MI
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I will put it on my shelf
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04/10- 08/08/09
|
014
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Grand Rapids
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MI
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I will: put it in my playroom. Laura, age 4
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04/10- 08/08/09
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015
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Ouro Preto
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Minas Gerais, Brazil
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I will: put on living room
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04/10- 08/08/09
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016
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Conklin
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MI
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I will: use it for lesson plans at the African Community Center in the future
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04/10- 08/08/09
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017
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Grand Rapids
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MI
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I will: put it in my kitchen nook
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04/10- 08/08/09
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018
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Grand Rapids
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MI
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I will: put it on my dresser
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04/10- 08/08/09
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019
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Grand Rapids
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MI
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I will: flip it
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04/10- 08/08/09
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020
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|||
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04/10- 08/08/09
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021
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Grand Rapids
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MI
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I will: 1. Love it. 2. Take it to Louisiana
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06/04/09
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024
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Romeo
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MI
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I think I am going to leave it off at one of the gas stations in town. I hope it travels far.
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04/10- 08/08/09
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023
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Sparta
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MI
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It will go home with me.
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04/10- 08/08/09
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024
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Austin
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TX
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It is going to my cousin Taylor “Tay Nic Sum”.
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04/10- 08/08/09
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025
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Grand Rapids
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MI
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I will: put on wall
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04/10- 08/08/09
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026
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Grand Rapids
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MI
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I will: love it, pass it on
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04/10- 08/08/09
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027
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Grand Rapids
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MI
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I will: show it to others
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04/10- 08/08/09
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028
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Walker
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MI
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It will go in Kayla’s apartment and I will make a collection
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04/10- 08/08/09
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029
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Grand Rapids
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MI
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I will: put on the mantle
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04/10- 08/08/09
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030
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Rockford
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MI
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We will give it to our son Lars
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04/10- 08/08/09
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032
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Perry
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MI
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I will: look at it
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04/10- 08/08/09
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033
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Marne
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MI
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I will: play with it
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04/10- 08/08/09
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034
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Grand Rapids
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MI
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I will: play with it
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04/10- 08/08/09
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035
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Byron Center
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MI
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I will: add it to a collection of found items. Age 66.
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04/10- 08/08/09
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036
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Grand Rapids
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MI
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I will use it to escape into and write about
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04/10- 08/08/09
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037
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Alpena
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MI
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I will: care for it!
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05/14/09
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038
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Grand Rapids
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MI
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Love the concept! So exciting! Each villa on its cozy estate is so reminiscent of childhood playfulness! I want to transport inside! I will: mail it to my sister in Baltimore, Maryland
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04/10- 08/08/09
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039
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Grand Rapids
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MI
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I will: display on table
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04/10- 08/08/09
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040
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Grand Rapids
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MI
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I will: play with it
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04/10- 08/08/09
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041
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Mt. Pleasant
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MI
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I will: add more of acity [sic] to go with it
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04/10- 08/08/09
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044
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Muskegon
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MI
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I will: put it in my room. Jay, age 7
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04/10- 08/08/09
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045
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Grand Rapids
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MI
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It will go in my daughter’s room
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04/10- 08/08/09
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046
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Wyoming
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MI
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I will: carry it on my purse until I find a nice garden to put it in (indoor garden)
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04/10- 08/08/09
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047
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Grand Rapids
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MI
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I will: bring it home. Play trains.
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04/10- 08/08/09
|
048
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Rockford
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MI
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vanish
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04/10- 08/08/09
|
049
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Grand Rapids
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MI
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It will go in my daughter’s room
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04/10- 08/08/09
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049
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Grand Rapids
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MI
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I will: love it, and stuff
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04/10- 08/08/09
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050
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Caledonia
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MI
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I will: show my class
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04/10- 08/08/09
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051
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Grand Rapids
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MI
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Kayla’s apartment. Part of panorama
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04/10- 08/08/09
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052
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Grand Rapids
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MI
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I will: set it out for people to see
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04/10- 08/08/09
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053
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Grand Rapids
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MI
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I will: love it forever!
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04/10- 08/08/09
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054
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Grand Rapids
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MI
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I will: put it on a shelf to display
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04/10- 08/08/09
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055
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Grand Rapids
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MI
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I will: Admire!!!
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04/10- 08/08/09
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056
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Grand Rapids
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MI
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04/10- 08/08/09
|
057
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Grand Rapids
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MI
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I will give it to my girlfriend. Show my love with trash.
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04/10- 08/08/09
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058
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Caledonia
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MI
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I shall live in it with my tiny wife.
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04/10- 08/08/09
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059
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Grand Rapids
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MI
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I will: put it on display!
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04/10- 08/08/09
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060
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Ann Arbor
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MI
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I will put it in my studio and think about it. I think it is Detroit.
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04/10- 08/08/09
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061
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Owosso
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MI
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I will: show it to my art director
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04/11/09
|
062
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Grand Rapids
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MI
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im planning on giving the plot of carpet land to my locker partner @ northview high school ..
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04/10- 08/08/09
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063
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Grand Rapids
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MI
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I will: display
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04/10- 08/08/09
|
064
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Wellesley
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MA
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I will: Love it!
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04/10- 08/08/09
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065
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Holland
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MI
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I will: have it on display in my bedroom. It has a orange car
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04/10- 08/08/09
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066
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Grand Rapids
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MI
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I will: play with it
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04/10- 08/08/09
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067
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Muskegon
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MI
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I will: put it in my office
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04/10- 08/08/09
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068
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Grand Rapids
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MI
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I will: look at it
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04/10- 08/08/09
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069
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Berkley
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MI
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I will: put it in a flower pot
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04/10- 08/08/09
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070
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Grand Rapids
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MI
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It will be: displayed in home
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04/10- 08/08/09
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071
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Grand Rapids
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MI
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I will: put it in my studio
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04/10- 08/08/09
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072
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Plano
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TX
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I will: love it
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04/10- 08/08/09
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073
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Mt Pleasant
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MI
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I will: treasure it always
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04/10- 08/08/09
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074
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Grand Rapids
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MI
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Desk art!
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04/10- 08/08/09
|
075
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Middleville
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MI
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I will: carry it around in my giant bag, along with my plastic snail
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04/10- 08/08/09
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076
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Grand Rapids
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MI
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I will: admire
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04/10- 08/08/09
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077
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Grand Haven
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MI
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I will: show my art students
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04/10- 08/08/09
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078
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Mt Pleasant
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MI
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I will: show to CMU art students, then mail off to another artist
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08/04/09
|
078B
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Traverse City
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MI
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It was a gift
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08/07/09
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078C
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Madison
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WI
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It was a gift
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04/10- 08/08/09
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079
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Grand Rapids
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MI
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I will: put in found objects shadow box
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04/10- 08/08/09
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080
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Siheaung
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Korea
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I will: display on my desk
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04/10- 08/08/09
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081
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Lexington
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KY
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It will be given to a friend
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04/10- 08/08/09
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082
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Grand Rapids
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MI
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I will: put on mantle
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04/10- 08/08/09
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083
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Byron Center
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MI
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I will play with it
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04/10- 08/08/09
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084
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St. Louis
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MO
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I will go to a very loving apartment/home. We don’t own a house so this is it! Thanks!
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04/10- 08/08/09
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085
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Ovid
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MI
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I will: look at it
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04/10- 08/08/09
|
086
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Grand Rapids
|
MI
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i love my new house
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04/10- 08/08/09
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087
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Benton Harb
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MI
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I will: put it on the shelf in the living room
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04/10- 08/08/09
|
088
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Meromme
|
MI
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Christmas ornament! (just kidding)
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04/10- 08/08/09
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089
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Grand Rapids
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MI
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I will: place it in my home to remind me to garden. Thanks for the inspiration.
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04/10- 08/08/09
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090
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Grand Rapids
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MI
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I will: set it on my mantle
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04/10- 08/08/09
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091
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Byron Center
|
MI
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I will: play with it
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04/10- 08/08/09
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092
|
Grand Rapids
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MI
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I will: Display in our new cab!
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04/10- 08/08/09
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093
|
Grand Rapids
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MI
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I will put it in my room
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04/10- 08/08/09
|
095
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Grand Rapids
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MI
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I will: keep it with my art collection I love!
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04/10- 08/08/09
|
096
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Chicago
|
IL
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Birthday gift. Send to SM in Chicago
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04/10- 08/08/09
|
097
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Almaty
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Kazakstun
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marr [sic] it to my brother. He’ll love it!
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04/10- 08/08/09
|
098
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Walker
|
MI
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I will: put it somewhere
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04/10- 08/08/09
|
099
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Grand Rapids
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MI
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I will: use it as inspiration for an art project with my son
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04/10- 08/08/09
|
100
|
Grand Rapids
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MI
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I will take it to school with me, then home to show my students and create our own recycled art
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04/10- 08/08/09
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101
|
South Field
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MI
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I will: put it in my dorm in the window
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04/10- 08/08/09
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102
|
Grand Rapids
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MI
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I will: play with it
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04/10- 08/08/09
|
103
|
Grand Rapids
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MI
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I will: put it in my room
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04/10- 08/08/09
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105
|
Grand Rapids
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MI
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It has a beach chair- I will take it to the beach
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04/10- 08/08/09
|
108
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Farwell
|
MI
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I may take it to the alps and give it to someone else
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04/10- 08/08/09
|
109
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Play (child’s writing)
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||
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04/10- 08/08/09
|
110
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Grand Rapids
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MI
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I will: put it in my collection of stuff. Age 11
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04/10- 08/08/09
|
111
|
Chicago
|
IL
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I will: put it on my car dashboard
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04/10- 08/08/09
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112
|
Grand Rapids
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MI
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I will: play with it. Thanks from Eva 4 yrs old
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04/10- 08/08/09
|
113
|
Grand Rapids
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MI
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I will: display it in a case
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04/10- 08/08/09
|
114
|
Lasing
|
MI
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I will put it on my shelf
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04/10- 08/08/09
|
115
|
Grand Rapids
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MI
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I will: put it on my windowsill, overlooing my garden, in my bedroom
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04/10- 08/08/09
|
116
|
Grand Rapids
|
MI
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I will: put it on my shelf in my bedroom
|
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04/10- 08/08/09
|
117
|
Grand Rapids
|
MI
|
[pictograms]
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04/10- 08/08/09
|
118
|
Grand Rapids
|
MI
|
I will: put in bedroom
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04/10- 08/08/09
|
119
|
Grandville
|
MI
|
I will: put it by the bird feeder
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04/10- 08/08/09
|
120
|
Jenison
|
MI
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I will:…maybe take it on a trip? Display it for a while, store it…
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04/10- 08/08/09
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121
|
Grand Rapids
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MI
|
I will put it in my office and observe/show
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04/10- 08/08/09
|
122
|
Grand Rapids
|
MI
|
I will: put it in my bedroom
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04/10- 08/08/09
|
123
|
Seattle
|
WA
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I will give it away!
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04/10- 08/08/09
|
124
|
Caledonia
|
MI
|
I will: display with toys
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04/10- 08/08/09
|
125
|
Richmond
|
VA
|
I will: admire it- keep it with other special things on the shelf in the living room
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04/10- 08/08/09
|
126
|
Grand Rapids
|
MI
|
I will: put it in office/studio
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04/10- 08/08/09
|
127
|
New Haven
|
CT
|
I will: send it to my daughter (also took 135)
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04/10- 08/08/09
|
128
|
Allendale
|
MI
|
It will be neighbors forever with #002
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04/10- 08/08/09
|
129
|
Seminole
|
FL
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I will: hopefully not squish it
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04/10- 08/08/09
|
130
|
Grand Rapids
|
MI
|
My kids are going to think it’s great! I’m sure their polly pockets will feel right at home!
|
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04/10- 08/08/09
|
131
|
Grand Rapids
|
MI
|
I will: display it
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04/10- 08/08/09
|
132
|
Caledonia
|
MI
|
I will: put it next to my squid collection
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04/10- 08/08/09
|
133
|
Grand Rapids
|
MI
|
I will: surround it with tiny other things
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04/10- 08/08/09
|
135
|
Wellesley
|
MA
|
I will send it to my daughter #2 (also took #127)
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04/10- 08/08/09
|
136
|
Grand Rapids
|
MI
|
I will: place it on my desk
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04/10- 08/08/09
|
137
|
Grand Rapids
|
MI
|
I will: make a wall around it with popsicles sticks [sic]
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04/10- 08/08/09
|
138
|
Grand Rapids
|
MI
|
I will: put on the mantle
|
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04/10- 08/08/09
|
139
|
Holt
|
MI
|
I will: show it to my friends. Relax. Calm down. Forget.
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4/11/09
|
pink car
|
Hays
|
KS
|
my friend went to the uica last night and then left to visit me đ she gave me the pink car cuz it looks just like my car đ
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1/10/10
|
097
|
Chicago
|
IL
|
I moved. I/it was in Kostanai.
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1/19/11
|
115
|
Chicago
|
IL
|
Piece moved from Grand Rapids to Chicago. It is now facing the West, sitting in my bedroom window.
|
Max Liboiron 