Seems to me that if an artist chooses to use a fragile or organic medium for their art they have to accept the fact that it's going to be a temporary object. A

Seems to me that if an artist chooses to use a fragile or organic medium for their art they have to accept the fact that it's going to be a temporary object. After all cooks make artistic dishes that they know will exist only for a short time. Sidewalk chalk artists make some of the most amazing drawings I've ever seen and they're perfectly happy knowing they are only temporary. I think making a cast or other physical reproduction actual reduces the artistic quality of the item. Some things are ephemeral and they should be looked at that way.