I'm Dreaming of a Beer Can Christmas Tree

One of the most important numbers on the planet today is 350, which is the level, in parts per million, of carbon dioxide that must be achieved in order to ensure a habitable Earth. In light of this issue, our environmental science group decided to take action and get the message about 350 out to the Allegheny College student body via an eye-catching display of artistic ability dedicated to the stereotypical “college student.” Our plan operated under the simple principle of identifying easily accessible and environmental friendly commodities that should be widely prevalent on a college campus. With this straightforward idea in mind, our group was lead to the garbage cans and recycling bins of the student houses to collect aluminum beer cans and pizza boxes. Moving forward with our trash collection efforts, our group decided it would only be appropriate to create an art project that would not only draw attention to 350, but also somehow stand as a reflection of modern society’s view of the average college student. It also being the season of Christmas put the final touch of inspiration in our project and yielded a beer can Christmas tree constructed out of 350 aluminum cans and supported by pizza boxes. We felt it was only fitting to erect the tree out of such materials since they represent a few of the premier thoughts when considering college life. To maximize the number of people who would view the project, our group thought it best to put in on display in the campus center, while each individually taking turns monitoring its effect on those who passed by. In the end, we considered the project to be a success since it attracted a considerable amount of attention. If we could have altered anything though, we would have put more thought into the difficulties of trying to convey a message via shock and the possible confusion that could result.

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