I have heard about the 1000 Journals Project from a few different friends, but I never explored what it really was. A friend on Netflix recommended a documentary that is available on DVD called 1000 Journals: A Film, and I was enchanted.
The trailer says, "1000 Journals are traveling from hand to hand throughout the world. One came back. Where are the other 999?
1000 Journals is a film about people whose lives are touched by 1000 traveling journals. These blank journals were released into the world in the summer of 2000, by Someguy, a San Francisco based artist. Some people found a journal, or got it from a friend or stranger. Some signed up on the web and received it in the mail. Some wrote in them, others doodled, pasted in photographs, or added artworks. Some kept them. Some passed them on. There are no rules, and no one really monitors these journals and their movements. And yet, they are connecting tens of thousands of people worldwide, provoking and inspiring them.
In September 2003, one of the 1000, number 526, returned to Someguy, filled. What happened to the other 999? This film tells their stories. 1000 Journals shares the experience of their worldwide journeys, and chronicles the self-governed collaboration of thousands of random people who have added to this global "message in a bottle."
After I saw the film, which I gave 5 stars to at Netflix, I went to Someguy's original website for 1000 Journals and found out more about what has been going on. There was a link to another site called 1001 Journals and was delighted to find that there are thousands more kicking around. I signed up for one and I'll see what happens. Or, you can start your own traveling journal.
Have any of you participated in this project, or are you interested? I was delighted to see Tracy Moore at Zettiology in the film. He and wife Teesha were the hosts for my recent art journal workshop in Port Townsend.
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