# Upcycled History-Imprinted Cans The 'Conversations with History' Ties Old Cans to Their Origins By Alexander Lam | Published 2013-05-27 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/old-cans References: [mymodernmet](http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/david-emitt-adams-conversations-with-history) & [davidemittadams](http://www.davidemittadams.com/portfolio/traces/) Using [corroded old cans](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/objects-from-frames) as a medium, David Emitt Adams made a series of artworks called 'Conversations with History.' Adams combed through the desert and collected old cans with some older than 40 years. The cans were then printed with desert scenes in order to further emphasize and complement the can's origins. Adams used an old technique called wet-plate collodion. The outdated technique imprints negative images on metal. In addition to the cans being the perfect medium for this technique, using wet-plate collodion further augments Adams's theme of conversing with history. Every can has its own story to tell and the imprints are just symbols of that. Adams's intention behind the project was to [honor the past](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/basket-sculptures) and to create "an artifact and an image that ties it to its location." ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.8/10 - Popularity: 14% | Activity: 33% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Upcycling:** Incorporating old and forgotten objects into new creations to give them a new life and meaning. - **Heritage Art:** Using historical and cultural elements as a foundation for artistic expression. - **Alternative Printing Techniques:** Exploring unconventional methods of printing on unique materials to create distinctive artworks. ### Where This Applies - **Art:** Opportunities to innovate by incorporating discarded objects into artwork that carries a cultural relevance and respect for history. - **Sustainability:** Opportunities to upcycle discarded products into new worth and reduce the impact on the environment. - **Printing and Imaging:** Opportunities to innovate by exploring and experimenting with various printing techniques on unconventional materials to create unique, one-of-a-kind objects. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [AI-Generated Soup Can Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/campbells-paintings.md) - [Americana Beer Cans](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/made-of-america.md) - [Ceramic Waste Carafes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sungai-carafe.md) - [Repurposed Studio Scrap Pottery](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/daon-pottery.md) - [Wine-Developed Packaging Photography](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/developed-through-time.md) - [AI-Generated Poetic Photo Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/emilio-alarcn.md) - [Western-Inspired Beer Cans](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/coors-banquet.md) - [Bookish Beer Cans](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/faber-faber-beak.md) - [Explosion-Damaged Sculpture Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/light-into-darkness.md)