Happy Friday Creactives!
Today is World Photography Day, quite possibly one of our favorite days here at JOBY. We hope you’re celebrating along with the rest of the world by taking lots of fabulous photos and putting your GorillaPod to work!
In honor of World Photo Day, I want to share an incredible global photography project that has been gaining traction the past few months. The Inside Out Project is a large-scale participatory art project that turns messages of personal identity into pieces of artistic work. Started by French artist JR, recipient of the 2011 TED Prize, the project hopes to share the untold stories and images of regular people all over the world. This project focuses on the power of art and ideas to change perceptions, attitudes, lives and ultimately, the world.
This is how it works: Participants upload their portraits, the portraits are printed out poster-size and then mailed back for the participants to post anywhere they want in their communities – an office window, the wall of an abandoned building, an overpass. People can participate as an individual or as part of a group, but the Project prohibits promoting a brand, product, or organization through the posting. The focus is really on individuals and personal statements, which I think is unique for such a large-scale project. The Inside Out Project also asks that participants document their postings and upload those images and their accompanying stories to the website for the rest of the world to see.
Here are a few images and stories from their creators.Want to become part of the Inside Out Project? It’s as easy as uploading your portrait.
Bianca P. Guatemala City, Guatemala
“I stand for a country of peace, I’m tired of breathing an environment of insecurity, hate and death in our contaminated streets.”
Ashwyn T. Cape Town, South Africa
“In Cape Town, teenagers from two divided racial communities, Imizamo Yethu and Hangberg were brought together to explore their cultural diff[erences]”
Kay S. Chiang Mai, Thailand
“Showing the new faces of monastic life in Thailand through portraits of ‘samaneras’ (monk novices)”
Alexander N. Moscow, Russia
“Our goal is to help end homophobia not only in Russia, but the world”
Barra U. Montevideo, Uruguay
“We stand for the cooperatives of waste pickers, where we achieve to work out of the streets, working with dignity for the recycling system”
The artist behind the project JR is no stranger to large-scale art projects aimed at raising awareness, changing attitudes and refocusing on the individual. He has covered rooftops, walls and stairways all over the world with his black and white posters. His projects have influenced incredible changes in communities just by providing access to art and emphasizing the individual. If you’re interested in learning more about his past work, watch his TED talk. I was blown away by the scope of his projects and his devotion to the communities he works in.
The Inside Out Project left me inspired to make art, and I hope it does the same for you. Enjoy your weekend!
