Ask 12.14.18

Stefan Sagmeister is an Austrian designer living and working in New York City. I don’t remember when I first encountered his work, it might of been with his project Things I Have Learned in My Life So Far. Or it could be his Happy project. It might just be that he designs for some of the grooviest people in the world. Doug and I made a special weekend trip to see a variation of the Happy Project called Six Things at the Jewish Museum in NYC in 2013. For each of the six things he and his collaborator Jessica Walsh created short films as well as sculptures that animated each of the phrases with unexpected materials that gave the viewer ample room for individual interpretation. The six things were all related to what actions lead to greater happiness. They were:

1. If I Don’t Ask I Won’t Get
2. Keeping a Diary Supports Personal Development
3. Be More Flexible
4. It Is Pretty Much Impossible to Please Everyone
5. Now Is Better
6. Feel Others Feel

We bought pencils in the gift shop for things #1, 3 and 5 and temporary tattoos for things #3 and 5. I like encountering those objects from time to time. They immediately give me pause and remind me of these little things that can help me be a little happier.

I pulled out #1 If I don’t Ask I Won’t Get this morning as I was working in my studio, which inspired today’s making. And to this day, Doug sits down to do his morning writing he begins by writing thing #2 Keeping a Diary Supports Personal Development. 

Ask. Frivolous demands survive. 

Today’s Prompt:
Somehow use the same image three times.

Everyday through December 25th, I’ll be making a 5×5 inch collage, writing a short entry on this blog and sharing a prompt for those who might want to participate along with me. You can follow my progress by subscribing to this blog through the sidebar on the blog homepage, or by following me on Instagram.