Lawn Mower
Fritz Haeg knows a thing or two about fecundity. It's not just that the artist has been impressively prolific in a variety of aesthetic fields over the last few years (though he certainly has); it's that, at least in the most celebrated examples of his artwork, reimaginings of nature and new life could be said to be his guiding principle.Beginning in 2005, he declared war on the grass lawns of suburban homes, overhauling those emblems of homogeneity and wastefulness with gorgeous, functional gardens comprised of a given area's native fruit- and vegetable-bearing plants. The project is fittingly called Edible Estates, and a 2008 book of the same name offers a visual and conceptual tour of such spaces.For last year's Whitney Biennial, Haeg, whose formal training is in architecture, constructed a series of wonderfully absurd houses for beavers, bobcats, eagles, and other animals that used to inhabit New York City's Upper East Side. Similar works, dubbed Animal Estates, can be seen in five other cities.He declared war on the grass lawns of suburban homes, overhauling those emblems of homogeneity and wastefulness with gorgeous, functional gardens comprised of a given area's native fruit- and vegetable-bearing plants."One of the things that I'm interested in with all of these projects is loosening our grip on our cities," says Haeg, 40, who was born in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, and who believes a renewed appreciation for-and, more important, interaction with-wilderness is something we could all stand to experience. He has also clearly spent many a night pondering the sometimes fuzzy relationship between art and activism."Art can be the kernel of something that can go on to be solutions for things, but I've got a pretty adamant feeling that it's not the job of art to solve the problem," he says. "I think artists look around at the world and respond to what's happening in an honest way. If the environment is collapsing and relationships between people and communities are breaking down, then there's something to work about."I feel like the work that I'm doing is purposely straddling a lot of conversations in a lot of different disciplines so that it does not sit comfortably in any one of them. But that's the only way that you can have a real, broad dialogue today. If you sit too entirely in one you've eliminated dialogue outside of it in a way."LEARN MORE Haeg's new book, The Sundown Salon Unfolding Archive, which chronicles his time in the dome-shaped Los Angeles house he built and used for events and performance art, has been released. For information on current shows, visit fritzhaeg.com.Photo by Meghan Quinn
Wiman hiding her face behind a bunch of cashCanva
A mansion and its reflection in the swimming poolCanva
Salzburg at nightCanva
Fancy homeCanva
Happy volunteersCanva
Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
Juicy subject matter
Giphy from The Blacklist.
We could start a rumor.
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.