News

10 of the 1,000, “Before I Die” Walls In the World

Last weekend, I visited a café which was unique in itself. I am not describing about the lip smacking continental food and the refreshing drinks there. The art wall that made this café unique, the art wall named “Before I die, I want to ___”. The wall drove us crazy, walking past after the dinner; we were compelled to scribble something on that art wall.

That night, I slept peacefully having a feeling that something that I have inscribed would come true one day. A goal towards accomplishment, the day changed few things in my life. It changed my perspective towards life and the urge to know more about these walls in India. Google is our best guide and I was mesmerized by the existence of these art walls.

“Before I die, I want to ___” is global art project which invites and tempts people to scribble their thoughts and unfulfilled wishes with chunks of chalk on a blackboard. It was a different kind of art on wall started by a lady Candy Chang in New Orleans.

She lost someone she loved a lot and in deep depression, she decided to paint the walls of an abandoned house in the neighborhood. She took prior permission to use the neighborhood house to create an interactive wall.

It was an experimental beginning to communicate with the neighbors of the community. She brought the chalkboard back in the locality and stencilled it with a grid of the sentence.

The next day, the chalkboard was flooded with responses such as Before I die I want to… sing for millions, plant a tree, hold her one more time, straddle the International Date Line, see my daughter graduate, eat more everything, abandon all insecurities, be completely myself… 

 

The pictures went viral on the internet and she received requests for the interactive walls. Today, there are about 1,000 “Before I Die” walls around the world in 35 languages, across 70 countries.

Aachen, Germany

before-i-die-wall

The Ecumenical church St. Nicholas (Citykirche) in the centre of Aachen is a delight for the passer-bys and tourists. The people from the youth congregation Kafarnaum and the team from the Citykirche have constructed the interactive 12 metre long wall for the people.

People stop by to share their thoughts, inscribe hopes, dreams on the wall. There are some people who just stop by to gaze at the thoughts and smile back on their way back.

Image Source: http://beforeidie.cc

Aabenraa, Denmark

before-i-die-wall

This interactive wall in Denmark was an outcome of friendship between 50 odd students who met at Højskolen Østersøen in the Danish town of Aabenraa ready to spend four months together. The students came here to study different subjects or in pursuit of their hobbies.

With time the bonds grew stronger and as a reminder of the bond, the wall “Before I Die” happened here in the Danish town. The wall was born in November 2013, on the Family Day of the high school. The students completed their course and walked towards their destinations. Bu the wall still stands proud in the school, as an inspiration for the other students, strengthening bonds further.

Image Source: http://beforeidie.cc

Hyderabad, India

before-i-die-wall

A café in the lap of nature amidst the hills of Hyderabad, Truffles Café pulled up this wall on 2nd February 2013. At the entrance of the café, this wall is an attraction for the visitors. The wall was created by Swapna & Srinivas with the help of the local artists. It is said that the wall was kept for six months, after which it was declared dead in August 2013.

But even today, the visitors of the café scribble on the board their dreams and unfulfilled thoughts. Yes, this was the wall where I chalked out my dream plan last weekend.

Image Source: self-clicked

São Paulo, Brazil

before-i-die-wall

The wall here in Sao Paulo was created by Laura Villela and Aaron Pinchevski in September 2012. It took merely few hours for the completion of this interactive wall in the neighbourhood of Vila Madalena.

The wall is located in the busy intersection of the city, where the passers-by stop to jot down their wishes. This wall died in the September of the same year 2012, which was pulled as a tribute to Helena Prado.

 

Image Source: http://beforeidie.cc

San Diego, USA

before-i-die-wall

The wall was made by the residents of Hillcrest, San Diego. It is located in the corner of the University Ave and Richmond Street. It is located on the side wall of a restaurant. It features the best responses of the week. It is cleaned every week by a gnome in a red hat.

Image Source: http://beforeidie.cc

Paris, France

before-i-die-wall

The city of love- Paris, is also prone to accidents and road injuries. The majority of road accidents in Paris ended on a sad note- life of a youngster. In April 2014 the French Road Safety Associations worked on this wall idea “Before I Die.”

With a great message behind this wall, the road safety associations wanted the youngsters to realize their dreams. This wall was up in the May, 2014.

Image Source: http://beforeidie.cc

Cape Town, South Africa

before-i-die-wall

In Cape Town, this innovative wall was created as a part of the Creative Week. Cape Town is known for its one main street- Long Street. The street is full of bars, night clubs, restaurants, milkshake parlors.

The wall was up in September, 2012 outside the Unknown Union shop. It was made by Elena Ioulianou, Simeon Spieringshoek, Chris Mason, Athena Lamberis, Richard September and Gubzin Thole.

 

Image Source: http://beforeidie.cc

Sydney, Australia

before-i-die-wall

The wall “Before I Die Sydney” was born in November, 2013. The wall is installed on the “ThinkPlayDiscuss” wall at UTS library in Sydney. It was made with love by Elmar Trefz, Heidi Trostel and Ralph Kenke.

Image Source: http://beforeidie.cc

Toyama, Japan

before-i-die-wall

On 14th March, 2014 with the introduction of the bullet train in Toyama city, this wall is located on Toyama station. This wall is located in the underground passage.

The wall was installed with the aim of better city life. People were confused at the idea of writing their thoughts on the wall. But today the wall is full of messages and wishes from the people of the city and tourists.

Image Source: http://beforeidie.cc

Brampton, Canada

before-i-die-wall

This wall in Canada was born in September, 2012. The wall was placed at Peel Art Gallery Museum and Archives (PAMA). It is located in the courtyard of the PAMA. The visitors scribble their dreams and thoughts on the 8 ft. by 24 ft. chalkboard canvas.

 

Image Source: http://beforeidie.cc

 

“Come accomplish the vision dwelling inside your heart, pour it out on the wall & see it coming true in this life, before death hugs you”.

Nidhi Srivastava

Reader, Travel blogger and a Budding writer. She lives with a dream of becoming a world renowned writer one day.
Back to top button