Biographies
Co-curators, Nicole Kenney and ks rives met at Saint Mary’s College in 1998 in their very first collegiate art class. They have been exploring psychology, sociology and art together ever since. This is their first time working as a team.
ks finished school at Columbia Art School in Chicago with a degree in art and design and an emphasis on sociological studies. ks is a racehorse when it comes to what she wants to do in life. She is passionate about art, environmental conservation, and discovering culture. She is excited for the revelation that this project will offer. Before she dies, ks wants to affect people from all over the world with her art. She shoots on a Spectra Polaroid camera.
Nicole completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts in design and psychology at the University of Notre Dame. Nicole was awarded an artist-in-residency position at Fabrica, the United Colors of Benetton’s young artists research center in Treviso, Italy for 14 months. Now living in Brooklyn, she creates autobiographical artwork, where she analyzes herself and her culture. Nicole’s great aunt died when she was seven, and this begun her awareness of mortality and the fragility of life. Her volunteer work at hospice helps her further meditate on this topic. Before she dies, Nicole wants to live a long life with Brett and leave some great kids behind. Her favorite camera is her granddaddy’s SX-70 Polaroid camera.
Artist Statement on Before I Die I Want To…
Hearing hundreds of different answers to this question from hundreds of different people makes one wonder: What make some people more aware of their own mortality than others? What motivates people to take action in their lives? What values do we hold as a society? And what values do other societies around the world find important?
The Before I die I want to... project was inspired by a combination of factors: (1) the “death” of the Polaroid, (2) a psychologist’s tool called safety contracts, and (3) a passion to get people to think about (and act upon) what is really important in their lives through this simple, very straight-forward question.
(1) With the prevalence of digital photography, Polaroid announced its discontinuation of products, or in other words, its “death.” Film will be sold until the current inventory is out, which is projected to be 2009. No more cameras are being made.
(2) Safety contracts are a common tool used by psychologists when treating suicidal patients. When psychologists find someone to be suicidal, if they ask them to give their word that they will not harm them self until help comes, often times the potential victim will choose to remain alive based on this promise. Likewise, the best thing a layperson can do if they find someone to be suicidal is to ask that person to promise not to harm themselves until professional help comes. That human connection of making a promise to someone and understanding that someone cares, notices, and expects something is motivation to stay safe. Although that is an extreme example, we are hoping that Before I die I want to... will work in the same way. By asking people to state out loud/write down something they want to do before they die and to be aware we will be checking up on them in a number of years, we believe that this will add significantly to their motivation to accomplish their goal. The added fact that the photos and statements will be published online and in print will urge people to fulfill their desires.
(3) One part cultural study, another part an encouragement to reflect on priorities and take action on desires, the Before I die I want to... project will create a new dialogue in the realm of sociological art. The project aims to urge people towards thinking about and fulfilling their life goals by asking them to make a promise to themselves and to the photographer.
Process
Creators, Nicole Kenney (Brooklyn, NY) and ks rives (Chicago, IL) keep their Polaroid cameras close at hand, taking portraits wherever they go to add to the collection. They snap the photo while the subject is saying what they want to do before they die, getting them in the act of stating their desire. Nicole and ks then request that the subject writes his or her statement on the Polaroid starting with the words “Before I die I want to....” As the subjects are signing the release form, the artists ask them to include their email.
The website is updated continuously with new portraits.
In a number of years (five, ten, twenty, etc.), Nicole and ks will contact the participants via email to see if they have accomplished their goal, if they are on their way, or why they haven’t made steps in that direction. At this future time, Nicole and ks will ask them to write a short story next to their photo on the website about fulfilling their expressed want. Seeing online that other people are fulfilling their desires will motivate participants to complete their task and write a story of their own.
Future
Before I die I want to... is currently applying for grants and proposing the project to world institutions in order to get support. Before I die I want to... aims to explore various cultures through the lens of human desire: from third-world countries to first-world countries, from rural places to cities, from primary schools to homes for the elderly.
Nicole Kenney Biography and CV
Nicole grew up in Atlanta, the capital of the American deep South. She graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a BFA in design and psychology, snarly hair, and a plane ticket to New York City. Nicole then worked in advertising in NYC for a year and a half, which was enough time for her to realize she’s not too crazy about advertising. Fortunately, after having had her fingers crossed for quite some time, Fabrica, The United Colors of Benetton’s young artists’ research center in Italy, selected her to become part their graphics department in March 2005. She spent fourteen months there in the company of immensely talented international artists, creating socially responsible graphics and illustrations with a psychological flair. Nicole is currently living in Brooklyn and creating a combination of art, comics, illustration, graphic design, and web design. In her own work, she strives for unfiltered honesty in making whimsical analyses of herself and her culture. Her claims to fame are that her "Boys in my life thus far" comic was described as "brilliantly conceived" and "wonderful" by Stefan Sagmeister and her "Piece of Meat" work was exhibited in the Centre Pompidou in Paris. She hopes to one day be as unabashed as her cartoonist idol, Robert Crumb, and to ride her bicycle around the world.
Experience
artist, freelance illustrator, print and web designer | studio kenney | june 2003–present
activities include creating art—frequently illustrative and autobiographical, participating in gallery shows, and freelancing illustration, print, and web design.
grantholder | fabrica | www.fabrica.it | treviso, italy | march 2005–may 2006
after a tough selection process where roughly 7% of all applicants are accepted, fabrica invites artists under 25 years of age from around the world to participate in this prestigious program for one year. responsibilities include graphic design and illustration for personal projects, workshops, and commercial projects, frequently socially-conscious in nature.
junior art director | blue | www.blueworldwide.com | nyc | september 2003–december 2004
responsible for the concept, design, and execution of a wide variety of print collateral and ads for blue, the advertising affiliate of the world-renowned p.r. firm, edelman.
graphic designer | notre dame center for social concerns | south bend, in | august 2002–may 2003
responsible for all graphics for this non-profit community service organization.
Group Exhibitions
2008
death + extinction: a polaroid exhibition | chicago art department | Chicago
i co-curated this exhibition with ks rives. "before i die i want to..." exhibited
schaffas | schaffas website | urban cow gallery | adelaide, australia
custom toy called "cowboy" exhibited
fabrica: les yeux ouverts | the shiodomeitalia creative center | Tokyo
curated by the centre pompidou; “piece of meat” exhibited
fabrica: les yeux ouverts | the shanghai art museum | shanghai
curated by the centre pompidou; “piece of meat” exhibited
art squared | washington art association | washington, ct
“being someone else for a night” exhibited
2007
pilsen art fair | Chicago
represented by 32nd & urban gallery; “puttin’ my face on” and various prints exhibited
fabrica: les yeux ouverts | the milan triennale | milan
curated by the centre pompidou; “piece of meat” exhibited
high life | 32nd & urban gallery | chicago
all women show; “he makes me dinner in the tub” and various prints exhibited
get fit show | 32nd & urban gallery | chicago
“puttin’ my face on” exhibited
the young talent show | washington art association | washington, ct
“the boy in my life: how it all began” and various other works exhibited
2006
west looking east | fabrica features at artés | paris
“like, i think i see china,” exhibited
fabrica: les yeux ouverts | centre pompidou | paris
“piece of meat” exhibited
meat market: fortification | instigator gallery | nyc
“beauty is my primal instinct” series exhibited
trust | trust museum | singapore
“trust in media” series exhibited
2005
experimentadesign2005: bienal de lisboa | lisbon
“l’abito non fa il monaco” exhibited
2003
bfa thesis exhibition | snite museum of art | south bend, in
“beauty is in the eye of the culture” installation exhibited
Select Publications
2007
chief magazine | nyc
interview and various works published
CMYK magazine | international
various works published
2006
paper magazine | nyc
“beauty is my primal instinct” featured and published
fab magazine | italy
“objects i keep so people don’t end” published
sugo magazine | international
“love letters to my friends” published
2005
relax magazine’s peace issue | japan
“rest in peace” published
étapes magazine 126; pyramyd | france
“l’abito non fa il monaco” published
fab magazine | italy
“boys in my life thus far” published
Recognition
visual researcher grant to live and work for one year in italy, march 2005–may 2006
magna cum laude graduate honors from the university of notre dame, may 2003
emil jacques medal, art & design excellence & overall program contribution, april 2003
accepted into the psi chi psychology honor society, april 2003
william & connie greif scholarship, presented to outstanding bfa students, december 2002
intellectual initiative program grant to attend aiga voice conference, march 2002
dean’s list, fall 2000–spring 2003
Art and Design Community Involvement
festival international de la bande dessinée d'angoulême, angoulême, france, 2008
teach me conference participant, venice, italy, 2005
aiga power of design conference participant, vancouver, canada, 2003
aiga new york city chapter volunteer, 2002–2004
aiga voice conference participant, washington, dc, 2002
aiga student leader, south bend, indiana, 2001–graduation
ks rives CV
Exhibitions
2008
ROAD WORKS | Adam Baumgold Gallery, NY | New York, NY
Group show—Antique map collages
RED DOT FAIR | Adam Baumgold Gallery, NY | New York, NY
Group show—Antique map collages
ARTIST PROJECT TORONTO | The Liberty Grand | Toronto, Ontario
Group show—Mixed media
Winner of “best in show” award and travel scholarship
ENTRE LES DEUX | Chicago Art Department | Chicago, Illinois
Solo show—Antique map collages and wood sculptures
2007
ART MIAMI FAIR | Dwight Hackett Gallery, NM | Miami, Florida
Group show—Mixed media
MIAMI AQUA ART FAIR | Adam Baumgold Gallery, NY | Miami, Florida
Group show—Mixed media
ALLEGORIC PRESENTS | Allegoric Gallery | Chicago, IL
Group show-Parking tickets on wood
LONDON BRIDGE ART FAIR | Allegoric Gallery, IL | London, England
Group show—Parking tickets on wood
BIRDS | Dwight Hackett Gallery | Santa Fe, New Mexico
Group show—Parking tickets on wood
MARWEN ART FAIR | Marwen | Chicago, Illinois
Group show—Mixed media
PILSEN ART WALK | Chicago Art Department | Chicago, Illinois
Group show—Mixed media
HIGH LIFE | 32nd Urban Gallery | Chicago, Illinois
Group show--Fibers on Wood
2006
YOUR TRASH | Chicago Art Department | Chicago, Illinois
Solo show--Fibers on Wood
2005
STREET STUDIES | Chicago Art Department | Chicago, Illinois
Group show--Trash on Wood
2004
LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT | Chicago Art Department | Chicago, Illinois
Group show--Found Objects
2002
STUDENT SHOW | Danmark Designskole | Copenhagen, Denmark
Group show--Furniture Design
2001
MOTIONNESS | El train | Chicago, Illinois
Group show--Mixed Media
001 | Heaven Gallery | Chicago, Illinois
Group show--Mixed Media Installation
Collections
DePaul University Museum, Tony Fitzpatrick, Joeseph Ferraro, Frank Williams, Ruth Lopez, Bob Chase, Steven Conrad, Johane Lefrançois-Deignan, Mary Houlihan, Paul Klein, Dwight and Jenifer Hackett
Awards
2008 | Chicago Community Arts Assistance Program grant
2008 | Best in show, The Toronto Artists Project
2008 | Travel scholarship, The Toronto Artists Project
2007 | Chicago Community Arts Assistance Program grant
Education
2003 BACHELOR OF ARTS: COLUMBIA COLLEGE | Chicago, Illinois | Art and design
2002, Summer DANMARK DESIGNSKOLE | Copenhagen, Denmark | Furniture design and construction
CONTINUING EDUCATION | Chicago Art Department, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Alliance Francaise
Special Projects
2008
DEATH + EXTINCTION | Chicago Art Department | Chicago, Illinois
Curated a polaroid project where twelve chosen applicatants from Chicago and New York City meet in New York over one weekend in June to work on a project based on the theme of death/extinction. The project culminated with an exhibition at the Chicago Art Department in August.
2005-present
CO-OWNER | Chicago Art Department | Chicago, Illinois
Co-own and operate a Pilsen area gallery which focuses on promoting new and emerging artists. Handle many aspects of the business, including monthly art shows, scheduling upcoming exhibitions, managing non-member artists, customer service and sales. Show personal work annually.
2007
MARWEN | Chicago, Illinois | Assistant teacher
Assistant teaching for an illustration/design course at Marwen, an art school for underserved youth.
2005
VIDEO PRODUCER | Chicago, Illinois | Latinos United
Shot and edited a video highlighting this latino advocacy group.
2005
GRAPHIC DESIGNER | Chicago, Illinois | Project Philanthropy
Participated in a design charette helping recreate the identity package for an in-need non-profit.
