“journaling” is not a verb form…yet
The wordARTist was excited to learn about 1000 Journals, the brainchild of a San Francisco-based graphic designer who modestly calls himself Someguy. Dude leaves blank 220-page journals with stamped instructions inside (draw, paste, cut, rip, fold, burn, write, sew on its pages) in a variety of locations. People who find them follow said instructions and come up with fantastically creative visuals and word-musings, then pass them on by hand or mail or whatever to the next potential artist.
Journals have been hidden in a cave, left in a lost and found, abandoned in an airport, and become part of a treasure hunt. They’ve traveled by air, sea and land through 50 states and 40 countries. Sort of like the gnome in the film Le Fabuleaux destin d’Amélie Poulain (come to think of it, another great example of the wordARTist’s Theory of the Power of loveART).
If you happen to be in San Francisco between now and April 5, 2009, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art has an exhibit of the 1000 Journals. But don’t be sad if you can’t get there; Chronicle Books has also published a book condensing some of the most groovy of the journal entries.
I love these covers by (left to right) Craig Frazier, Gary Taxali, Michael Mabry and Simone Legno (they have fabulous websites, too):
The wordARTist proposes that we follow the lead of Someguy and keep the spirit of 1000 Journals going. Quick, tell us right now: What would YOU do if you found a blank journal at a gas station or in the frozen foods aisle or in your favorite café, with instructions inside to make it into an objet d’art? Heck, if you feel so moved, go ahead and make something and send the wordARTist .jpgs. I’ll post the best ideas and images. Let’s spread the loveART!
(All images copyright 1000 Journals/courtesy of Someguy. 1000 thanks.)
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