Before I Die...

At the Rockhampton River Festival 2024, I had the opportunity to be custodian of a public artwork that's been an inspiration for many years. I first came across artist Candy Chang in academic research exploring participatory artworks that function as remembrance and public memorial. Before I Die by Candy Chang has been installed all over the world - it reimagines how public spaces, how the walls (or temporary fences) of a city can help us approach mortality and loss.

After a long period of time being with this work in conceptual planes, it was a blessing to see the impact it had on hundreds of passersby over the weekend first hand. I got to witness person after person stopped in their tracks by the immediacy of the invitation to contemplate a meaningful question. I saw it spark many conversations in groups of friends and family over three days with festival-goers often spending long periods of time reading what others had written and considering their own response. I also got to spend time with the question at multiple moments throughout each day and observe my answer transform: to ebb and flow, to expand, to gain in complexity and structure, and then return to simplicity. 

Some snaps below and a selection of answers from festival-goers. A huge shoutout to the incredible festival organisers and the amazing council work crew who put the installation together!