JR explores the idea of age in a brand new kids's guide
In 2011, the French artist JR started his Inside-Out project, which was inspired by his series of large-format portraits that were pasted onto the street. In order for the public to make their own insertions, they are encouraged to send a portrait captured in black and white, which will then be printed in large format and returned to them free of charge. The portraits were pasted in large-format works of art in the open air over buildings and streets. Ten years, 130 countries, and 400,000 posters later, they're still going strong.
From the Inside-Out project, JR's new book How Old Am I? The book cards are between 1 and 100 years old in numerical order, from one year old Gwen to 100 year old Beatrice. Each age is represented by a person from a different country and is designed to capture the process of aging, as well as the differences and similarities in life experiences of people around the world.
Each section includes a black and white photo of the individual, a small map showing where they were born and where they live, and a brief biography that reveals their hopes and dreams, experiences and memories.
Participants were found through social media and word of mouth. Towards the end of the project, the team launched calls to meet the challenge of covering 100 age groups from 100 countries. In a virtual lecture by Phaidon, the editor of the book, JR explained the difficulties involved: "In the end it was so difficult, because then you have to look for someone from Turkey who is 97 years old!"
While the book includes photographs and living design, the core of the book is the stories that JR hopes will spark discussion between the children reading the book and their families. “My work is always an excuse to start a conversation, whatever it is, and however we actually do it,” explains the artist. "Whenever we have these portraits pasted on the street, or whenever I organize an pasting, it is actually an excuse to talk. That is really the meaning of my work – it's about creating discussions."
"That's exactly what this book does. It even has a question mark on the cover," he adds. "I think that's the best we can do for kids today – make them keep asking questions."
How old am I? 1-100 faces from all over the world is published by Phaedo; phaidon.com