People will spout about impermanence of digital records, but books are really fragile, too. Alexis Arnold from San Francisco wanted to illustrate that with her project The Crystallized Book: collecting books and growing Borax crystals on them. Books range from literature classics to magazines, and there’s even a mysterious and arcane tome called “Linux: The Complete Manual”.

A man is arrested by Police during clashes in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 25 January 2021. Police's mobile unit is present and has carried out charges to clear the street. Some arrests have also been made and a water cannon has been used. Nationwide protest against coronavirus restrictions and curfew imposed by Dutch government broke out during the weekend in many Dutch cities, leading to some violent riots and clashes with Police. (Photo by Marco de Swart/EPA/EFE)

Girls hold hands as they arrive their New Year parties in Newcastle, England on December 31, 2019. (Photo by Craig Connor/North News and Pictures)

A child poses for a photo inside a life-sized doll box after watching the “Barbie” film at the SM North Edsa in Quezon City on July 19, 2023. (Photo by Jam Sta Rosa/AFP Photo)

A diver dressed in a Santa Claus costume swims at the Lotte World Aquarium in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, December 23, 2024. (Photo by Ahn Young-joon/AP Photo)

Two brown bears bathe in their enclosure at the Wildpark Poing in Poing, Germany, Wednesday, August 8, 2018. (Photo by Lino Mirgeler/Deutsche Presse-Agentur via AP Photo)

“Hiding In The Shadows”. This Baby Sandhill taking refuge under Moms wings while sitting on her second egg. I witnessed this baby being born earlier that day,and the next morning saw the other one hatch,what a sight to see. Photo location: Deland, Florida. (Photo and caption by Scott Helfrich/National Geographic Photo Contest)

An Asian elephant cools off at the zoo during the World Elephant Day in Lodz, central Poland, 12 August 2022. The World Elephant Day is observed every year on August 12. (Photo by Grzegorz Michalowski/EPA/EFE/Rex Features/Shutterstock)