Kimberley is about to become part of the global public art project Before I Die, thanks to the Kimberley Arts Council and Columbia-Kootenay Cultural Alliance.

Before I Die invites people to share their hopes and dreams in public space – by completing the sentence “Before I die, I want to …” on a chalkboard wall. The project is documented online at www.beforeidie.cc.

The project was initiated by American artist and urban planner Candy Chang after she lost someone she loved very much. Chang created the first Before I Die installation on the wall of an abandoned house in her neighborhood in New Orleans. The project has since spread worldwide, and walls have been created by communities in Germany, the United Kingdom, Mexico, the Netherlands, Japan, Kazakhstan, and far beyond.

Before I Die is about remembering what is important in life, creating a public space for contemplation, and reimagining how our public spaces can better reflect what matters to us as a community and as individuals.

“The Kimberley Arts Council is excited to bring this global project to Kimberley and to give our community an opportunity to express our hopes and dreams – big and small alike,” says KAC president Laurel Ralston. “Before I Die will allow us to connect to other communities around the world in a creative, positive way.”

Construction of the freestanding Before I Die wall is now underway. Along with text, the installation will feature pictorial responses to “Before I die, I want to …” contributed by local artists.  If you would like to contribute a painting, please contact Laurel Ralston at 250-427-3050.

Above photo by Kim Kamo – Townsville, Australia

Kimberley Arts Council

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