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The art piece by Hiroshi Yamano captures the feeling of feeling out of place in society, like a “fish out of water.” It evokes feelings of wanting to escape from expectations, to run away and try to reinvent yourself. The painted fish depicts flying out of the water towards the moon, showing the desire to change yourself. Swimming endlessly to find this imaginary perfect version of you, a version that will be understood by society. In contrast, the tree branch represents the need to stay true to yourself, stay in touch with your 'roots.' Under all the leaves, the branch that's left is still you.

The song “Au Pays Du Cocaine” by Geese shares these themes of not only embracing change but chasing it, while staying true to the core of who you are. The lyrics say, "You can change, and still come home.” It encourages the listener to accept change, to accept the very human desire to adapt to fit in and be liked by others. That desire is not always bad, in fact, it often encourages people to become nicer and more empathetic. The key is not to let yourself change completely, to protect the roots of who you are. When the song asks the listener to “come home," the home is representing yourself. The home of your soul. You can go outside and live your life, paint the walls a different color, redecorate the entire house, but in the end you remain inside the same foundation you always have. 

—Gray Crego