I made a wishing well in a dumpster. A secret place to collect people's wishes.

Today I want to share one of my favorite projects I've ever done, "Well Wishes for the Future of an Evergrowing Metropolis"

I completed this project a few years ago for a large public art festival in Atlanta, GA. Our city has been in the midst of rapid change and development the last few years, much like many places around the world. I wanted to give citizens a chance to express their hopes and dreams for our city. People need a place to make their voices heard.

So, I plopped this construction dumpster down in the middle of Downtown, built a lush secret garden inside, and included a wishing well to collect Atlanta's wishes.
I'll start with the finished project, and if you scroll down you can check out the process.

I miss this little slice of paradise. The perils of temporary street art. Here is a photo from opening night. The line was literally around the block. This was totally unexpected!

By the way, this is me in the dumpster! This is the most time I've ever spent in a dumpster. One week for install.

Here is a sign to illustrate how legitimate this project was, actually it's just so you can read the artists statement!

Here are the cards I designed for people to write down their wishes. I actually based these on Zoltar from the movie BIG

The Empty Dumpster!!! It's a blank and somewhat smelly canvas.

There's a wishing well under that big blue tarp.

Here is a friend helping me install some greenery.

Some of my first visitors! At this point this project no longer really belonged to me. I spent days watching people come in and out. I rarely ever revealed myself as the artist, so that I could get honest reactions. I cried a few times during the course of this project from sadness and the sheer beauty of life. Collecting wishes is a very emotional experience. I collected 843. I've read them all. I will protect them and help them come true as much as I can.

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