Francis Alÿs makes art that disappears. In his famous performance Paradox of Praxis 1 (1997), he pushes a big block of ice through the streets of Mexico City until it melts completely. It seems like a simple act, but it carries a deep message about hard work, patience, and how things in life fade away.

At first, the ice is large and heavy. As he pushes it, it slowly gets smaller, leaving behind only wet spots on the pavement. In the end, nothing remains. This makes us think why do we work so hard for things that do not last?

Alÿs uses movement to tell a story. His work shows that in life, we often put in effort without seeing lasting results. Whether it is physical work, emotions, or creativity, so much of what we do eventually disappears. But does that mean it has no value? Not at all. His art reminds us that even if something vanishes, the effort still matters.

When the last bit of ice melts, the artwork is gone. It exists only in photos and in people's memories. Yet, it leaves behind a powerful feeling. Alÿs teaches us that life itself is temporary, but that does not make it meaningless. In the end, even things that disappear can leave a lasting impact.