“What do you want to do before you die?”
We’ve all read books or watched movies like The Bucket List, and it’s a question we’ve all asked ourselves from time to time, so let’s face it, SuperForest, when it comes to originality, that question isn’t really high up there on the list. Which is why I was thoroughly surprised to find just how much originality and heart there actually was behind a project that literally revolves around that very question.
The “Before I die I want to…” Project involves two wonderful ladies, Nicole Kenny and ks rives, who walk around city streets, snap portraits of people with their polaroid cameras, and request their subject to write what they’d like to do before they die on the photograph. Simple enough, right? A very sweet and endearing gesture to a perfect stranger. But there’s more! Here’s where it gets really interesting…not only do they get their subjects to think about this personal question and write their intention down, but after a matter of years (5, 10, 20, etc.), Nicole and ks contact each of those people they photographed via email and ask them the question of whether they accomplished their desire and ask them to share their stories. Whoa…that adds a whole new dimension to the mix, because I don’t know about you guys, but knowing that someone out there knows my deepest, most pure desire and is gonna check up on me in a few years would not only provide me with an incredible sense of support, but much incentive to actually do everything within my power to make sure that happens!
And they aren’t only doing this in the U.S., they have an entire portion of the project in India, too, which creates three wonderful components that make this project so great: (1) they’re using polaroids, which with the prevalence of digital photography, is considered by many to be a dying art form, (2) they have the “social contract” portion of the project which creates both a bond of trust, and even a loving community of sorts based around openness and support, (3) lastly, there is the cultural study aspect. These things are great, but even the simple fact that they are getting people to reflect upon this important question is reason enough to celebrate its awesomeness!
Here’s just a quick taste of some of the responses participants have given:
To learn more about the project, or to get involved with it, you should definitely check out the Before I Die I Want To…website. To say it’s inspiring doesn’t even come close to doing it justice because above all, although the question “What do you want to do before you die?” isn’t the most “original”, there is no denying the fact that it could be one of the most important questions you ever ask yourself.
Love,
C
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