Ephemera are items not originally designed to be retained or preserved but have been collected or retained. The word is etymologically derived from the Greek ephēmeros ‘lasting only a day’.
I first began archiving ephemera digitally during my sophomore year of college when I discovered a bookshelf where professors left old textbooks for any wandering undergrad to take in the basement of Caldwell Hall.
I archive these images not with the intent of historical accuracy or even for those to read the contents. My primary purpose is to reuse these materials in my work, either in digital or physical collages. They also provide me with inspiration that I may have never encountered online.
Mostly I think they look cool. I hope you do too.
Feel free to use them in any capacity you wish. I'd love to see what you make.
