theFearbox

•

theFearbox

This is an ongoing project.

We all have fears. Everyday, we push them to the back of our minds and pretend that they don't terrify us. Very rarely do we acknowledge and speak openly about them. theFearbox is an independent project aimed at getting people to share what truly scares them in an anonymous forum. In the process, it allows participants to confront their fears in a safe, non-provoking environment that can help them logically overcome the fears and prioritize.

An exhibit of the box and its findings was displayed from March 4 - March 29 at the JCC in Squirrel Hill Pittsburgh, PA. The exhibit showcased the project, its findings, and in depth research into what, why and how we fear.

theFearbox was displayed for a week's time at the following locations.
The Carnegie Pittsburgh Library, Oakland Branch
The Trinity Cathedral
Rodef Shalom Synagogue

Hunt Library - Carnegie Mellon Campus

It also has an active blog at the-fearbox.tumblr.com

For more information on the project or discuss further ideas for it, please contact me by email.

The box on display at Rodef Shalom Synagogue in Pittsburgh, PA. The stand is 3' tall and the box is 17'' tall.

The physical wooden box traveled to different public locations around the Pittsburgh area. Instructions displayed with the project prompted viewers to face their fears by writing them down, throwing them in the box and releasing the fear through this act. Paper and pens were set up for this purpose. Between four Pittsburgh locations and an online blog over 450 responses were collected.

theFearbox blog allowed participants outside of Pittsburgh to interact with the project and allowed readers to understand that they are not alone in their fears. This new element became an essential part of theFearbox exhibit. Over 3,250 individuals in 85 countries, including all 50 states, visited the blog in it's first 7 months. 25% percent returned to the site again.

To view submitted fears, visit the blog at the-fearbox.tumblr.com

Using statistical analysis, I began categorizing the various fears and exploring how fear changes or doesn’t change based on location and demographic. I also began academic research into how disciplines such
as history, sociology, psychology, philosophy and biology discuss fear.

In January 2012 I received full funding from Carnegie Mellon University to present the project and my research at the Hawaii International Conference on Arts and the Humanities in Honolulu. The project was well received.

In March 2012, The American Jewish Museum hosted a month long exhibit that displayed the box, collected data, in depth research and the physical fears that were submitted. I arranged, designed and
constructed the entire exhibit as well as handling advertising for the show.

The show remains true to the participative nature of theFearbox project by allowing viewers to help grow the exhibit. They can submit their own fear in the box, open an old fear and pin it to the wall and write their own response to the project and fear to add to the walls. The layout of the exhibit allows viewers to quickly determine what aspect of fear interests them most and through a well created hierarchy, quickly find
more information.

theFearbox exhibit took full advantage of the unique space provided by the American Jewish Museum. I worked with the gallery manager to create a full experience in an often overlooked venue.

The niche walls, created by the columns, function to break the exhibit into four main sections - Why We Fear, What We Fear, How We Fear and Overcoming Fear. Each section included a main body of text, subtext on
a more specific topic, illustrations of famous persons and their quotes
on fear and actual fears.

The columns function as interactive stations that encourage participation and a physical connection with the exhibit. As time progresses, the exhibit itself expands and grows, encouraging users to revisit the project and discuss it with others. Because the gallery is located in the Community Center, hundreds of individuals pass through the space daily. The exhibit was designed with this in mind, to create a full experience for the community rather than simply a display of finding. It allows interaction and understanding on a more personal level than a typical art gallery.