Part 4: Found Art! Feedback

By Chris Dunmire

Within hours of my daring deed at the library, I logged onto my Found Art! page and found feedback for one of the Dream Journals I left behind:

"Just wanted to send you a note to let you know that I found [the Dream Journal] at the [our town] library today. Your work is inspiring, great job."

The next day, more feedback arrived:

"I found your piece of art while putting away new magazines at the [our town] Public Library where I am the Periodicals Librarian. Thank you for an interesting highlight in my day!"

More feedback trickled in:

"I found one of your puzzle pieces at the [our town] Library. It really brightened my day since I shelve and straighten books there, your art put a smile on my face. Keep creating and growing in your art!"

"The puzzle pieces are delightful. Thank you for sharing your art with the rest of us!"

Found Art! Reflections

I received four responses back from the 14 pieces of art I left behind. I'll assume that the other 10 pieces were:

• Found and appreciated by someone who didn't want to / forgot to send feedback

• Found and discarded or eaten

• Still lost

• Found and hoarded by one person hunting as if for Easter Eggs.

All in all, I enjoyed this art-warming experience, and can see how continuing on the Found Art! path will undoubtedly bring in more feedback. As the laws of averages dictate though, one shouldn't get discouraged if they don't get feedback on everything they leave behind. Some of it just won't for some reason or another.

Getting feedback is certainly reinforcing and excitement-inducing It's great when things work out the way we expect them to, especially when we want to leave an anonymous gift for a stranger.

Tips for Found Art! Newbies

If you are interested in participating Found Art!, these tips will help you make the most of the experience:

• Keep in mind the purpose of the Found Art! project. In a "random act of kindness" way, it encourages creative participation in a global art project that "strives to make the world a better place right now by empowering people across to globe to share on a soul level."
  
  With that in mind, your intention and satisfaction during the process of creating the art is a major reward. Thus, you can view any subsequent "rewards" in feedback as 'icing on the cake'.

• Expect that not all of your "left behind" art will be found as intended. It may be mistaken as litter or found by someone who isn't into the spirit of leaving feedback. This is why it's important to choose your leave behind locations wisely, and ask for permission in some locations when necessary.

• On the other hand, your art may be found and adored by its recipient. You may have made someone's entire week with your thoughtfulness. However, they may be forgetful or non-computer savvy and unable to leave feedback. Again, don't rely on feedback as the gauge for the enormous joy this project brings to you personally.

• Small works of art work well for this project. Protect delicate or painted (inked, etc.), art from the elements by encasing it in a plastic bag or wrapping.

• The Found Art! gallery has lots of inspiration for creative art ideas. Items such as old CD's, greeting cards, gift tags, puzzle pieces, and recycled materials can be transformed into thoughtful works of art. •

© 2004, 2008 Chris Dunmire. All rights reserved.