50

Just hit 50 letters! Well 49.5 actually, my writing hand hurts too much, so I'll have to write 5.5 tomorrow. I think I'm going to make a few collage letters for the next few days, this project won't really be pretentious enough without a collage or two. And it will give my fingers a chance to rest.

Many thanks to those who have sent ME some mail, Lee sent a wicked San Fransisco postcard (Thanks Lee!) And my Dad wrote me a huge letter that I haven't been able to read yet because I've been so damn busy writing. (Thanks Dad!) I know I've been asking a lot of questions in some of your letters, obviously you don't have to respond, but it would be awesome it you did! I think I'm going to allow email responses, if you'd like to drop me a note but getting to the damn mailbox just doesn't work for you. So keep that in mind.

Thanks everyone! This has already taught me a lot about the writing process, I'll write more about that later.

xo
cb

Its on.

Saturday January 16. I wrote all five letters before 8 am. Its on.

xo
cb

What 500 letters look like

Before they put the words on.

xo
cb

Here we go.

I have 500 envelopes, three dozen pencils, 550 sheets of looseleaf (in case some of the letters ramble on a bit), and 500 stamps. All I need now is a whole lotta words.

I wanted to clarify things a little for anyone who is interested (and again, THANK YOU to my participants) in knowing a little more about the project. So here goes:

I’m not 100% sure why I’m doing this, what I hope to gain from it, or what I’m going to do when it’s over… how’s that for clarity? Seriously, I find that having expectations and planning outcomes for your chosen mode of expression just kills things. I get my hopes up about where something creative is going, I start stressing about everything not going as planned, and eventually I give up altogether. So in this case, I welcome the ambiguity.

BUT, there are always some expectations when you plan a project, or a vacation, or a party or whatever… So here’s what I’ve been thinking about.

I’m interested to see what will happen when writing five letters a day inevitably becomes a bit of a chore, how can it not? Not many of us would choose to spend a day corresponding with friends if we have a vicious hangover, or we’ve had a terrible argument with our partner, but I’m making the decision to do it anyway. It will be a test of my will at times, for sure.

Another thing, those of you who know me well know this, I’m a total hermit. And although I am obviously a very emotionally driven person, I maintain a pretty big distance between myself and others, even those I care very deeply about. It’s something I don’t entirely understand, but it’s me. However, I feel very comfortable expressing myself through writing.

My letters to you:

Might be very structured: “Hello, how have things been…” and they probably will be that way at first. My plan it to write two letters first thing in the morning, two after breakfast-ish, and one just after noon, then mail them before 5pm. I’m hoping that as I get more comfortable, I’ll just start writing anything that comes to mind: thoughts, grocery lists, whatever. These letters will obviously be a bit confusing to receive, but as I said, you do not have to write me back if you’re not interested. I have a mandate against emotional dumping- that’s what my journal is for- so you will not get any “woe is me” letters, I promise.

Your letters to me:

Should you choose to send any that is… can be anything you want. Postcards, photos, rants, poems… sky’s the limit. Maybe you’ll want to send me your morning thoughts, or the drawing your little one made yesterday because your fridge is already overflowing with his masterpieces. You may want to write about how the loss of a friend or family member feels. All I ask is that you don’t send anything you might not want to share with the public, in case I use the letters for a book or an installation. And if you don’t want to send anything at all, that’s OK.

As I mentioned, I’m hoping that you will be willing to send my letters back to me when the 100 days is over (or if we live in the same city you can just give them to me), but part of the exercise is giving up my control, once the letter is written it’s gone. It’s yours now. If you want to keep them, that’s pretty cool too. If you lose them all, well they weren’t mine anymore anyway.

Ok, that’s enough for now. I’m starting on Saturday, January 16. I’ll try to keep the blog updated, and you can always email if you have any questions. Let’s see where this goes.

xo

cb

Call for submissions

Facebook post: Jan 12 2010

I want YOU. For my pretentious letter writing art project.

I need to write 500 letters in 100 days, so send me your mailing address (privately please) if you have been missing the feel of a warm envelope in your hand. You do not have to write back, but you can. I’d love it if you did. I only ask that you save the letters and mail them back to me eventually. Not one by one, you can throw a bunch in an envelope to save postage.

Part of the idea is that you might lose some letters, or get some that you don’t want to mail back, or you might forget all together, so I will not hassle you about it. You can make notes on the letters, whatever… the content might be “Hello how are you today.” stuff, or it might be stream of consciousness stuff, or a finger painting, I told you this was a PRETENTIOUS art project. They won’t usually be longer then one page.

I’ll officially start the 100 days when I get enough addresses, anywhere from 10 to 30 people or more I guess.

Don’t be shy, even if were just casual Facebook friends, or if we see each other often, I would love to write you a letter or two…or 500. You can email me your mailing address, or it you’re really keen, a postcard with your address on it would be extra crunchy. I won’t sell your mailing address to any marketing companies, but I may send you helpful material about enlarging your penis and the secret to a flatter tummy for the next 60 years.


If you would like to send me a postcard, email me and I’ll give you my mailing address.

Thanks!