"Before I Die" — Candy Chang's wish list: "What is important to you?"

"Candy Chang is a public installation artist, designer, urban planner and co-founder of Civic Center, who likes to makes cities more comfortable for people."

From her project's website:

It's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day and forget what really matters to you. With support from old and new friends, I turned the side of an abandoned house in my neighborhood [above: "before" at top and "after" just under it] into a giant chalkboard to invite my neighbors to remember and share what is important to them.

"Before I Die"  transforms neglected spaces into constructive ones where we can learn the hopes and aspirations of the people around us.

It's about improving both our physical spaces and our individual well-being. 

This process (including obtaining official approval from many entities) has been a great lesson — more on that later.

If you're in New Orleans, stop by the corner of Marigny and Burgundy (900 Marigny Street) to add your thoughts to the wall and discover what matters most to your neighbors.

I believe the design of our public spaces can better reflect what's important to us as residents and as human beings.

The responses and stories from passers-by while we were installing it have already hit me hard in the heart.

Made with primer, chalkboard paint, stencils, spray paint, chalk. Self-initiated with permission from the property owner, residents of the block, the neighborhood association’s blight committee, the Historic District Landmarks Commission, the Arts Council, and the City Planning Commission. February 2011.

[via Milena]