The Art of Tying the Knot

A wedding is one of the most momentous times of one's life, but, unlike a marriage, the wedding itself is a fleeting joy. The day itself comes and goes, and most of the registry items fondly presented as gifts fade-glasses and plates break, for instance, and towels wear over time. But that's why there is no more timeless gift to give or receive than a work of art, a special piece that will richen in meaning with time and intimate engagement, just like love.

With my own wedding approaching at the end of this month, I've assembled a collection of elegant works on Artspace that I would truly enjoy living around. (Hint, hint.) Most remind me of moments I've shared with my fiancé, or make me imagine moments I would like to share with him in the future.

Christine's Top 10 Picks

1. Michael Kenna's Falaise d'Aval Par Nuit, Etretat, 2000

This landscape piece is so quiet and dreamy. It reminds me of a trip to the Aeolian Islands where the sun sets over the most dramatic seaside vistas. This piece is an inspiration for traveling to visit new places in the future.

2. Katherine Westerhout's Wards V1, 2001

Time seems to stand still in this work. This building that was once filled with people and life reminds me of the first time I explored my fiancé's hometown of Detroit.

3. Wen Fang's Wall-1, Hou Hai, Beijing, 2005

This is a beautiful examination of segment of a wall in the Forbidden City. I love all the muted colors, the cracks and textures that have emerged over its long, historic life.

4. Courtney Smith's Psiche Complexo Itinerante, 2004

The sculpture in this photograph is so intricate and made from lots of the kind of bedroom furniture that just won't fit into our small New York apartment. I love how all the pieces were so carefully constructed to collapse into each other, and how they were placed outside of a typical interior setting.

5. Doug Geraghty's Grand Central, 2009

Sometimes living and working in New York City makes us forget to look up. I love how this sliver of time in Grand Central Station was captured-it encourages us to stop to appreciate the grand architecture we live with everyday.

6. Karen Kilimnick's The Electricity Fairy, 2010

I love the seemingly random ballerina floating in the middle of a super-rich interior. It's the kind of unexpected element that keeps things fresh and inspiring.

7. Walker Evans's Breakfast Room at Belle Grove Plantation, White Chapel, Louisiana, 1935, printed 1974

A truly classic piece reminiscent of the home in Yonkers where we will get married, this photograph shows a once-grand private mansion that was left derelict to age at the mercy of the elements. I love the timeless quality of this photograph.

8. Rong Rong & Inri's Untitled No. 25, 2008

I admire the collaboration between the artist couple Rong Rong & Inri. This piece is beautiful and ethereal, a reminder of the pleasures of creating together.

9. Robert and Shana ParkeHarrison's Tethered Sky, 2005

One of my all-time favorite artist duos, the ParkeHarrisons make pieces that are constantly inspiring, and this dreamlike work is no exception.

10. Judith McMillan's Optic Exploration: Iris Kaempferi, 2001

I love how naked every part of the iris is in this light and delicate piece, which gives an intrusive view of both its interior and exterior. This work reminds me that being with one person for life means being fully exposed and vulnerable on a daily basis.