Changing the world one wish at a time

For four days from January 20 - 23, 2006, weather permitting, conceptual artist and photographer Philip Warbasse will use black and white photography to document the wishes of willing participants on Venice Beach, CA written on 14" X 24" poster board. These wishes will serve to characterize the subject's dreams, aspirations and even frustrations relating to their own lives and the world around them. "Venice Beach represents such a diverse and eclectic group of people, so the photography and wishes should turn out amazing," says Philip Warbasse, Director/Photographer of the I-Wish Project. "I am very excited about this conceptual project because I don't know exactly how the end result will turn out. Personally, it's a different twist on art for me."

The I-Wish Project will be represented online at http://www.i-wish.org. Visitors will be able to learn more about the concept, view a limited number of photographs from the first shoot, purchase the book containing 100 photographs and even find ways to make their wishes come true through various volunteer opportunities featured on the site. The I-Wish logo is an incomplete red circle with a small white gap in the upper right corner. "The gap in the circle represents hope to me," says Warbasse, "the spirit all of us seek in order to make our lives complete. The concept is simple and the logo reflects this simplicity. After the Venice shoot, my goal is to tour this project around the country and perhaps the world. From the feedback I have received so far, I think it is really going to resonate with people from all walks of life."

The I-Wish Project is entirely a volunteer effort. Proceeds from the sale of the books and t-shirts will benefit local non-profit organizations and agencies in the cities where each project is shot. People interested in helping behind the camera or expressing themselves in front of it can go to http://www.i-wish.org beginning December 18, 2005, for volunteer forms, model releases, directions and shooting times.



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