Photos By Subtext Projects
“[Artist Candy Chang] transformed a wall of [Dallas based East/West] Galleries into a giant chalkboard stenciled with the phrase, “Before I die I want to _____.” People can use chalk to write on the wall and remember what is important to them. This project is also about sharing and discovering the hopes and aspirations of the people around you. In addition to the gallery show, Before I Die is being installed on neglected buildings in New Orleans in hopes of improving both our physical environment and our individual well-being while understanding our neighbors in a different and enlightening way.”
via CandyChang.com
I came across the above fascinating art installation today. And I love that it’s being installed on neglected buildings in New Orleans. I kinda wish I had one on my wall, for myself, for my friends and family… it’s such an intensely connecting concept. I kind of think it’s appropriate that the proclamations are made in chalk as well. I like knowing it’s okay to change my mind about what’s important, but I don’t have to. I wonder if I could fill up an entire wall myself?
Here’s a few things I think I’d scratch out:
- Before I die I want to touch someone’s heart and mind with my writing.
- Before I die I want to watch my nephews and niece grow up.
- Before I die I want to visit India.
- Before I die I want to take care of those that have taken care of me.
- Before I die I want to read thousands and thousands more books.
- Before I die I want to eat pancakes at the White House.
Yah, OK, so that last one might be a stretch. (Unless the Obama’s are actively looking for brunch guests, in which case, do put me down) It still sounds like fun! The truth is there are probably thousands of things I could put on my wall. Big and small, simple and outlandish. I’ve never been short on dreams. The real question for me is not, WHAT do I want to do before I die, but HOW do I make those things happen. I’m afraid that wall might look a bit more messy. My plans are never step by step, this leads to that. Life intervenes, and we skip ahead and fall backwards and jump to another wall altogether, all the while scribbling notes in the margins and wondering if this is really what we want after all. For me, the messiness of the process is part of the joy of life.
But now I’m curious…what would be on your wall?
Related Articles
- I Wish This Was: Dreaming Of A Better Place (treehugger.com)
- Before I Die, I Want To (kissied.wordpress.com)
- Custom Chalk Illustrations by Dana Tanamachi (apartmenttherapy.com)
