You Don't Know

I'm trying my best to start an art project called, "You Don't Know." It ultimately will be a people chain of photos. Confusing...hmm, people will take photographs of themselves or their friends with someone's hands flat to the view frame of the photo. When you place the photos next to each other, it looks like peoples' hands are touching. I want to see how long the people chain can get. It will cellebrate the individualism and unique qualities of each person involved...and people in general. So, snap a photo and cellebrate humanity by embracing what "you don't know" about who you could be placed next to, and each other. Don't judge them, just as I won't judge your awesome photos.

Background: When I was a youngen' in middle school and high school, I barely spoke to anyone. I had a close nit group of friends that I could count on two hands, and I never reached farther than them. I grew up in a very materialistic community where Microsoft offspring felt inclined to tease you based on what you didn't own or didn't wear. I was a victim, and so...I became mute. I felt like because I didn't "fit in," and didn't feel accepted, these people simply didn't deserve to know me at all. So, I rebelled in my own way...by not saying a word to anyone, not even my teachers hardly. I didn't do the right thing though...I judged my peers too. I never got to know them, and maybe would have met some awesome people outside my group of close friends. I'll never know though. Here's my chance though...and yours. I work at an all boys summer camp now in Woodruff, Wisconsin from June to August every year. This will be my third year in 2012, and Josh Boling always said for some reason, "you don't know." It was meant to be funny in his Alabama accent, but I'll always remember it, and have attached my own personal meaning to it. Hence the title.

Here is photo number one, and it comes all the way from Germany. This is Oona and her friend Silke. I met Oona in Charlotte, North Carolina last summer when I decided to visit a friend after camp for a week. Oona and her sister Leia were visiting my friend as well, since Oona was an exchange student with my friend's family. She was a hoot...and claims to have learned everything about Americans from watching Sex and City episodes.

Could you know all that from her photo? No.

But she's awesome.

You could be a part of this too, by emailing me your photos. I'm paranoid to have a direct link to my personal email address, so comment asking for it...or if you know me personally, call me, text me, Facebook me, or Tweet me. I'd be glad to send it to you.

Thanks for your support, friends.