Before I die I want to…

Love this.

The Before I die I want to… project was inspired by a combination of factors: (1) the “death” of the Polaroid, (2) a psychologist’s tool called safety contracts, and (3) a passion to get people to think about (and act upon) what is really important in their life through this simple, very straight-forward question.

Process
Creators, Nicole Kenney (Brooklyn, NY) and ks rives (Chicago, IL) keep their Polaroid cameras close at hand, taking portraits wherever they go to add to the collection. They snap the photo while the subject is saying what they want to do before they die, getting them in the act of stating their desire. Nicole and ks then request that the subject writes his or her statement on the Polaroid starting with the words “Before I die I want to….” As the subjects are signing the release form, the artists ask them to include their email.

The website is updated continuously with new portraits.

In a number of years (five, ten, twenty, etc.), Nicole and ks will contact the participants via email to see if they have accomplished their goal, if they are on their way, or why they haven’t made steps in that direction. At this future time, Nicole and ks will ask them to write a short story next to their photo on the website about fulfilling their expressed want. Seeing online that other people are fulfilling their desires will motivate participants to complete their task and write a story of their own.

:: via Josh Spear

5 Comments
  • Aran

    August 27, 2008 at 4:17 pm Reply

    Very cool idea. Thank you so much for visiting my site today and leaving such a lovely comment. I’m off to explore your blog some more.

  • Law of Attraction

    August 27, 2008 at 4:57 pm Reply

    I love this. I’m going to do my own photo.

  • ks

    August 30, 2008 at 2:25 am Reply

    Thanks so much for blogging about our site! Anyone who would like to participate may do so by visiting the website. we are putting up a list of instructions of how to do your own and send it to us. keep checking the site and stay tuned…

  • Kelly

    September 2, 2008 at 3:22 pm Reply

    you’re welcome, ks! i love the idea behind it. and i love that it can keep you in check of your dreams.

    xo
    kelly

  • shi(f)t

    September 5, 2008 at 1:01 pm Reply

    this is a great idea, thanks so much for passing it on!

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