This project is an organic and experimental art project borne out of my own curiosity. I cannot predict the results and I cannot fully explain the process that it will involve until it develops of its own accord. I will have very little power over the direction the project takes. I will have almost no creative input. All I have provided is the initial idea and all I can do is explain how it began:
On 3rd October 2008 I left a large envelope on the steps in front of the Edinburgh College of Art. Only one word was written on the envelope - 'curious?'
Inside the envelope was a note, a blank postcard and a stamped addressed envelope with my address on it. The note read as follows:
THANK YOU FOR PICKING THIS UP. BY DOING SO YOU HAVE BECOME THE FIRST PARTICIPANT IN THE CURIOSITY PROJECT.
IF YOU HAVE NO INTEREST IN TAKING PART, PLEASE PLACE EVERYTHING BACK IN THE ENVELOPE AND LEAVE IT FOR THE NEXT PERSON TO FIND.
OTHERWISE, I AM GIVING YOU THE FREEDOM TO DECIDE WHAT DIRECTION THIS PROJECT TAKES. DO WHAT YOU WANT WITH THE BLANK PIECE OF CARD ENCLOSED: ISSUE AN INSTRUCTION, ASK A QUESTION, DRAW A PICTURE... ANYTHING YOU WANT. THEN POST IT BACK TO ME USING THE ENVELOPE ALSO PROVIDED.
YOUR CARD WILL THEN BE COPIED AND LEFT IN MORE ENVELOPES FOR THE NEXT PARTICIPANTS TO FIND. THEY TOO WILL BE GIVEN BLANK CARDS ON WHICH THEY WILL ISSUE THEIR RESPONSES.
MY ONLY REQUEST IS THAT YOU USE YOUR CARD WELL: MAKE IT THOUGHT-PROVOKING, SOMETHING THAT WILL DRAW AN EMOTIONAL RESPONSE FROM PEOPLE. THE WHOLE PROCESS WILL BE ANONYMOUS, SO GIVE PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS OPINIONS OR FEELINGS WHICH THEY WOULD NORMALLY KEEP TO THEMSELVES.
YOUR CARD, ALONG WITH ALL THE RESPONSES, WILL THEN BE POSTED ON WWW.THECURIOSITYPROJECT.BLOGSPOT.COM SO YOU CAN FOLLOW THE PROJECT AS IT DEVELOPS.
AS I SAID BEFORE, IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO TAKE PART, PLEASE LEAVE THIS FOR THE NEXT PERSON TO FIND.
THANK YOU.
THE CURIOSITY PROJECT
The first envelope was collected from the steps at 1:28 in the afternoon. In future I will not stay to watch the envelope be collected - this was a one-off in order to ensure the project got off to a successful start. All responses will be posted as and when they arrive. I will also keep a record of how many envelopes are dispersed, their locations and how many lead to a response. Only time will tell whether this project will be a success or not.
Curious?
On 3rd October 2008 I left a large envelope on the steps in front of the Edinburgh College of Art. Only one word was written on the envelope - 'curious?'
Inside the envelope was a note, a blank postcard and a stamped addressed envelope with my address on it. The note read as follows:
THANK YOU FOR PICKING THIS UP. BY DOING SO YOU HAVE BECOME THE FIRST PARTICIPANT IN THE CURIOSITY PROJECT.
IF YOU HAVE NO INTEREST IN TAKING PART, PLEASE PLACE EVERYTHING BACK IN THE ENVELOPE AND LEAVE IT FOR THE NEXT PERSON TO FIND.
OTHERWISE, I AM GIVING YOU THE FREEDOM TO DECIDE WHAT DIRECTION THIS PROJECT TAKES. DO WHAT YOU WANT WITH THE BLANK PIECE OF CARD ENCLOSED: ISSUE AN INSTRUCTION, ASK A QUESTION, DRAW A PICTURE... ANYTHING YOU WANT. THEN POST IT BACK TO ME USING THE ENVELOPE ALSO PROVIDED.
YOUR CARD WILL THEN BE COPIED AND LEFT IN MORE ENVELOPES FOR THE NEXT PARTICIPANTS TO FIND. THEY TOO WILL BE GIVEN BLANK CARDS ON WHICH THEY WILL ISSUE THEIR RESPONSES.
MY ONLY REQUEST IS THAT YOU USE YOUR CARD WELL: MAKE IT THOUGHT-PROVOKING, SOMETHING THAT WILL DRAW AN EMOTIONAL RESPONSE FROM PEOPLE. THE WHOLE PROCESS WILL BE ANONYMOUS, SO GIVE PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS OPINIONS OR FEELINGS WHICH THEY WOULD NORMALLY KEEP TO THEMSELVES.
YOUR CARD, ALONG WITH ALL THE RESPONSES, WILL THEN BE POSTED ON WWW.THECURIOSITYPROJECT.BLOGSPOT.COM SO YOU CAN FOLLOW THE PROJECT AS IT DEVELOPS.
AS I SAID BEFORE, IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO TAKE PART, PLEASE LEAVE THIS FOR THE NEXT PERSON TO FIND.
THANK YOU.
THE CURIOSITY PROJECT
The first envelope was collected from the steps at 1:28 in the afternoon. In future I will not stay to watch the envelope be collected - this was a one-off in order to ensure the project got off to a successful start. All responses will be posted as and when they arrive. I will also keep a record of how many envelopes are dispersed, their locations and how many lead to a response. Only time will tell whether this project will be a success or not.
Curious?
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