Tuesday 13 April 2010

PostSecret





Many of you have probably heard of Postsecret, but for those of you that haven't here is the background story:

'Postsecret is an ongoing community mail art project, created by Frank Warren, in which people mail their secrets anonymously on a homemade postcard. Select secrets are then posted on the PostSecret website, or used for PostSecret's books or museum exhibits.



The simple concept of the project was that completely anonymous people decorate a postcard and portray a secret that they had never previously revealed. No restrictions are made on the content of the secret; only that it must be completely truthful and must never have been spoken before. Entries range from admissions of sexual misconduct and criminal activity to confessions of secret desires, embarrassing habits, hopes and dreams. The secrets are meant to be both empowering to the author and to those who read it. The postcards are inspirational to those who read them, have healing powers for those who write them, give hope to people who identify with a stranger's secret, and create an anonymous community of acceptance.'



I go on this website regularly as it is updated weekly with new postcards. Each one is like its own little piece of artwork. Some are very eye catching, on others it is the 'secret' which gets you thinking. What really stood out for me whilst visiting this website is that these postcards are a form of expression, often for something that is a real problem in someone's life. Many people have written in saying that postsecret has saved them whether it is from a relationship, an eating disorder or even suicide.



I think it is great that such a simple concept has had such a huge impact. Take a little look online at: http://postsecret.blogspot.com/ if you want to find out more.