The Before I Die Wall will mark the beginning of our first 4-day all-community event ending on the Day of the Dead in Mexico and then again in 2023. This art project consists of a blackboard wall that will be placed in our community center. The location of our first wall will be The Lake Chapala Society, where anyone can write a meaningful message about "Before I die I want to___________." It will be constructed by the students at our school Have Hammer Will Travel A.C woodworking school.
To inspire our woodworking students and local residents to reimagine their relationship with death and with one another in the public realm. They will experience a global participatory public art project. The wall will be created by local residents who want to make a space in their community to reflect with one another. Each wall is a unique tribute to living an examined life. The "Before I Die wall" invites us to restore perspective in an age of increasing distractions.
The northern shore of Lake Chapala, Mexico has attracted thousands of cross-cultural retired persons and is also home to thousands of aging Mexicans. Even though death is a natural part of life, there is denial and fear around it. We seek to normalize the end-of-life experience in a positive way with this art installation and our first entire 4-day event starting Oct 30th. The real challenge is to have students and local residents who build the wall to start thinking about the end of life.
Studies show that death awareness and death positivity develop a sense of community, compassion, gratitude and well-being in those who embrace impermanence. It is the of the most inspired creative projects ever in English and Spanish that will create a long impact and bring the community together. Putting sacred dreams into words that will manifest in the future and change our local residents lives. 2nd challenge is to share this "Before I Die Wall" with other local organizations in 2023.
