1000 Journal Project

Today's photo is part of the Altered Book Page I did for Peta as part of our Altered Book Collaboration. I loved being involved in the collaboration - really enjoying the journalling nature of it all.

My parents recently loaned me a DVD they thought I might enjoy called 1000 Journals. They were right! I found it quite fascinating. Some of you may have heard or read about this project - a gentleman, going by the name of 'Someguy', created 1,000 blank journals and set about sending them out into the world, with their individual number recorded inside along with the website details to visit and 'report' on the journals location and progress. The idea is for the journals to be worked in by a variety of people and his wish is that at least some of them might find their way back to him when they are full. According to the documentary, he has had four returned and is working on getting them exhibited somewhere - no small undertaking considering there are 1,000 in the 'collection' and he has no notion of the whereabouts of the other 996!

First and foremost , it is a quite fascinating glimpse into human nature...the generosity of some, the selfishness of others, the ego and, sadly, even the cruelty that we humans can be capable of.

Some people drew, some painted, some pasted in bits of ephemera, others wrote...a fascinating range of styles, techniques, themes and ideas appear through out the story.

Here is what the website has to tell us about the Project:

About The 1000 Journals Project

The 1000 Journals Project is an ongoing collaborative experiment attempting to follow 1000 journals throughout their travels. The goal is to provide a method for interaction and shared creativity among friends and strangers.
How it Works:
Those who find the journals add something to them. A story, drawing, photograph, anything really. Then they pass the journal along, to a friend or stranger, and the adventure continues.
Unfortunately, you've got a better chance of winning the lottery, then of getting a hold of a journal. That's the problem when there are only 1000 of them. Now, you're best bet is to check out 1001 Journals where you can sign up for a journal, or launch your own traveling, location, or personal journals.

I enjoyed our collaboration so much, and a large part of that was that each month, I met a new collaborator on the pages of the book in my hands, and over time, came to know each artist better and better by seeing more of their work with each book. I wonder what it would be like to be involved in a collaboration where you might never see the finished product, or get to know any of your fellow contributors? I'm curious....curious enough? I haven't decided yet. What about you?