I have been inspired by artist Candy Chang to recreate a Before I Die Wall in my town.
Candy made her first wall after the death of a close friend. She chose an abandoned building, painted it up and left chalk. She wanted to encourage sharing in a public space, provoke civic engagement and emotional introspection. Overnight her wall was transformed with the wishes and dreams of passers by. Since then 'Before I Die' has taken off globally, given people a chance to think about death, but also an opportunity to celebrate living and gratitude for what we do have.
Listen to her inspiring TED talk here.
This installation is a work in progress, evolving as people write what they want on, under, above and between the lines. Sentences are rubbed out to make way for others. Each day I visit the wall to photograph the new additions. They make me smile & laugh out loud. More importantly, reading the personal aspirations of my community give me hope.
Candy's participatory public art project Before I Die has been created in over 1,000 cities and over 70 countries, including Iraq, China, Haiti, Brazil, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and South Africa. As far as I'm aware this is the second wall in Aotearoa.
