PAST IS PRESENT is a mixed-media, site-specific installation showcased at Kunsthaus Dresden as part of the exhibition Burn By Staying Cool. The piece, constructed from dried pine needles intertwined with festive lights, evokes an image of a toppled Christmas tree or a smouldering bush. This large-scale work reflects on the fragility of our world, exploring how art might respond to the imminent threats to nature and the inundation of environments with human-made waste. The term “present” serves a dual meaning, signifying both a “gift” and the “present day” (Kunsthaus Dresden, 2022). In facing ecological collapse, it suggests that “gifts” may need to be offerings from the past, whereas past and present remain inextricably linked. Through PAST IS PRESENT, Šejla Kamerić urges a reevaluation of the future, advocating for values that go beyond a cycle of consumption.