Voyeuristic. Inspirational. Entertaining. One thousand blank journals are currently circulating throughout the world, beckoning contributors who find the journals by chance on trains, in cafs, and anonymously left on doorsteps. Artist Someguy shares more than 250 of the best entries: a collage of African countries repositioned into a new continent; the musings of a teen trapped in a drug- ravaged community; a student's humorous personal ad for his ideal girlfriend ("C-cup required!"). A faux leather cover and two beautifully embroidered pages bring the look and feel of the original journals to life. The perfect gift for journalists, aspiring artists, designers, and anyone who can't wait for one of the journals to magically appear in their lives.
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Book Description
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About the Author
Someguy is a San Francisco-based artist and designer. He launched the 1000 Journals Project in 2000.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
28 of 30 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I first learned of "1000 Journals" from TheScreamOnline, an online publication in which I have been lucky enough to place some of my own writing.
Someguy began the "1000 Journals" project in San Francisco. He purchased 1000 blank journals and sent them around the world. He gave them to friends and left them in coffee shops, book stores, and libraries -- and even on park benches. People wrote in them, drew sketches, painted pictures, glued-in photos, and then passed them on. Instructions inside the cover ask that each contributor scan his/her pages and email them to Someguy for posting on the website.
I was fascinated by this project when I first heard about it. The "1000 Journals" project evoked, for me, the pure magic of raw creativity unmediated by middlemen who, all too often, strain out the magic and keep only the commercial or easily digested product.
Like a drill sent deep into earth that hits fresh water, the "1000 Journals" project hit people like you and me, people washing their laundry, sipping brews in cafes, getting over broken hearts, nursing invisible dreams, and then erupted with their creative gifts.
The project's foundation was serendipity. Someguy released his journals to the winds with the faith that something beautiful would result, and it has.
Someguy's process reverberates; to some it is reminiscent of religious faith -- of letting go and letting God.
For others it is a manifestation of the faith an artist requires to begin any project that may, or may not ever, find its audience. For others it brings to mind the process of being a parent. "Your children are not your children," wrote Khalil Gibran. Well, your journal is not your journal; your art is not your art. Someguy's process brings that all home.... Read more ›
Someguy began the "1000 Journals" project in San Francisco. He purchased 1000 blank journals and sent them around the world. He gave them to friends and left them in coffee shops, book stores, and libraries -- and even on park benches. People wrote in them, drew sketches, painted pictures, glued-in photos, and then passed them on. Instructions inside the cover ask that each contributor scan his/her pages and email them to Someguy for posting on the website.
I was fascinated by this project when I first heard about it. The "1000 Journals" project evoked, for me, the pure magic of raw creativity unmediated by middlemen who, all too often, strain out the magic and keep only the commercial or easily digested product.
Like a drill sent deep into earth that hits fresh water, the "1000 Journals" project hit people like you and me, people washing their laundry, sipping brews in cafes, getting over broken hearts, nursing invisible dreams, and then erupted with their creative gifts.
The project's foundation was serendipity. Someguy released his journals to the winds with the faith that something beautiful would result, and it has.
Someguy's process reverberates; to some it is reminiscent of religious faith -- of letting go and letting God.
For others it is a manifestation of the faith an artist requires to begin any project that may, or may not ever, find its audience. For others it brings to mind the process of being a parent. "Your children are not your children," wrote Khalil Gibran. Well, your journal is not your journal; your art is not your art. Someguy's process brings that all home.... Read more ›
28 of 31 people found the following review helpful
By S. Briggs
Format:Hardcover
Unfortunately I came too late participate in the 1000 Journals project. I found myself in awe of the creative rawness of the entries I found on that site and its sister site 1001 Journals. So be inspired by the multisensory spreads (much easier on the eyes that staring at the computer screen). This books is compact, but not too small and it looks like an actual leather bound journal. Entries range from innocent to indulgent, sensual to sublime. All of these artists have created a book that is not only an art book, but a memoir as well. Each entry expresses a piece of the artist's world. I am looking forward to a sequel. Until then, enjoy this book and check the websites:
[...]
Thank you someguy and to all who contributed to the project.
[...]
Thank you someguy and to all who contributed to the project.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Sonora
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This beautiful book is the product of a multi-year mail art project. The actual size and color of the book match the 1000 journals that were sent out over the world. Each journal has it own incredible journey and story to tell. And this is undoubtable one the largest and most exciting collaborative mail art project ever undertaken.
I've been fortunate to be part of this experiment, and it was a life changing experience. This book is a tiny glimpse into the 100's of 1000's of pages filled with the art of the everyday person. Art made accessible to everyone.
If you think the Postsecret books are fascinating, this book actually looks a bit more indepth into the personal lives of the participants. It is a look at the everyday reality of our times.
I've been fortunate to be part of this experiment, and it was a life changing experience. This book is a tiny glimpse into the 100's of 1000's of pages filled with the art of the everyday person. Art made accessible to everyone.
If you think the Postsecret books are fascinating, this book actually looks a bit more indepth into the personal lives of the participants. It is a look at the everyday reality of our times.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I've been familiar with the 1000 Journals Project since it's inception. It was my honor to participate (to a very small degree) in this project, and I feel that this book is an amazing collection of everything that made this project so successful - spontaneity, honesty and a feeling of connection.
This book does a beautiful job of reproducing every detail of the pages from the original journals. Some of the spreads were even stitched with designs true to the contributors' artistic intent.
The whole book is bound, quite beautifully, in the same style of casing as the original artist journals that started this project seven years ago.
This book does a beautiful job of reproducing every detail of the pages from the original journals. Some of the spreads were even stitched with designs true to the contributors' artistic intent.
The whole book is bound, quite beautifully, in the same style of casing as the original artist journals that started this project seven years ago.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Randy Cooper
Format:Hardcover
A wonderful collection of unique art. The only thing that would make this book better is if it were larger so we could see the art in greater detail.
20 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book is wonderful!
1000 journals moving around across the globe... maybe 10 times as many contributors. How can that not be awesome? This book has a myriad of different people's writings, sketchings, photographs and pastings... all from different cultures, backgrounds, and walks of life. Just a great collection of 'journal art' that inspires you to make your own, and re-examine this book over and over.
Ever really wanted to read your friends personal journal? Sure, lots of people have. You might not quite be getting that in this book, for I see this as biased writing. Deliberately "unauthentic" entries... all written with the obvious knowledge that this would be read by hundreds, possibly thousands of others. When you know someone is watching, you'll do it differently than when you know you have the utmost privacy. So you wont quite be a voyeur if you purchase this item, but you will definitely be exposed to a lot of awesomeness that you can't find just anywhere.
A worthy buy, but in the vein of tactile journals, I'd recommend Dan Eldon's work over this.
1000 journals moving around across the globe... maybe 10 times as many contributors. How can that not be awesome? This book has a myriad of different people's writings, sketchings, photographs and pastings... all from different cultures, backgrounds, and walks of life. Just a great collection of 'journal art' that inspires you to make your own, and re-examine this book over and over.
Ever really wanted to read your friends personal journal? Sure, lots of people have. You might not quite be getting that in this book, for I see this as biased writing. Deliberately "unauthentic" entries... all written with the obvious knowledge that this would be read by hundreds, possibly thousands of others. When you know someone is watching, you'll do it differently than when you know you have the utmost privacy. So you wont quite be a voyeur if you purchase this item, but you will definitely be exposed to a lot of awesomeness that you can't find just anywhere.
A worthy buy, but in the vein of tactile journals, I'd recommend Dan Eldon's work over this.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
WIsh List
I had this on my list for quite some time and I am pleased I bought it. I really enjoyed it.
Published 3 months ago by A. Snyder
3.0 out of 5 stars
Loved the idea, not the execution
I was so excited to get my hands on this book, but upon reading, I was slightly disappointed. The story and idea behind the book is unique and attention-grabbing, but once you open... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Dede
1.0 out of 5 stars
a disappointment
The paper it is printed on is slick.
The colors are muted.
The fonts are mostly too small to read!
The illustrations are child-like. Read more
The colors are muted.
The fonts are mostly too small to read!
The illustrations are child-like. Read more
Published on May 24, 2011 by 2 Surfers
5.0 out of 5 stars
1000 Journals
I was very happy with the service book came to me within days, and I think the book is awsome. Jill
Published on December 1, 2010 by jill
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very interesting but not quite what I thought
If you're looking for information out of this book, you've come to the wrong place. It is largely images taken from the 1000 Journals Project with very little information about the... Read more
Published on July 13, 2010 by cm62442
2.0 out of 5 stars
Poor quality
I was really looking forward to this book, but when I received it, I was very disappointed. The images and the printing quality was very poor. Read more
Published on May 28, 2010 by Aspasia
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellant!
This was exactly what I was expecting after seeing the documentary of the same name. Great companion piece.
Published on February 24, 2010 by Katherine C. Franklin
4.0 out of 5 stars
What kind of title ...
I was happy with the book and the service. It is inspirational and I wish that I could have been part of the project. Read more
Published on February 23, 2010 by Bobbi Gomez
1.0 out of 5 stars
Waste of time and money
I get the idea that this is primarily a Young Adult book then anything of interest to an adult. Most of the art if juvenile or just a bunch of magazine clippings put together on a... Read more
Published on February 10, 2010 by Mrs. P.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome Book
Great book. I open find myself just pouring over the marvelous pages of this book. Filled with great creativity and beauty.
Published on January 27, 2010 by thestrokes225
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