Thanks to thousands of people, the Before I Die project has become a global movement with over 5,000 Before I Die walls created in over 75 countries and over 35 languages. Each wall is created by passionate people who want to make a space in their community to restore perspective and reflect with one another. Each wall is a tribute to living an examined life. And each wall gives communities an inclusive space for personal expression, consolation, understanding, and kinship.
If you’d like to build a wall, please read through the information below to learn about the aim of the project, as well as find answers to some frequently asked questions. Then download our toolkit of resources, which includes a checklist of materials, a step-by-step guide, options to buy readymade stencils, and templates if you prefer to create your own. Together, we can help to destigmatize the discussion of death and create public spaces that reflect what matters most to us as individuals and as a community.
The Spirit of the Project
We believe every community should have a Before I Die wall, so this concept is free for everyone to use. We hope you will follow a few simple guidelines:
- Be free.
A Before I Die wall should be accessible for everyone. - Focus on communication, not persuasion.
A Before I Die wall should offer passersby a much-needed break from the messages in our public spaces which are trying to sell us something. Your Before I Die wall should be free of logos, slogans, website addresses, hashtags, etc—there’s already too much of this in the world. However, you are welcome to feature a sign next to your wall that includes a project description and credits, and this might be a good place to add your hashtags, handles, and internet stations. (You’ll find a sample placard in the toolkit below.) - Please keep the word ‘die’ in Before I Die.
There’s a lot of superstition and anxiety around the language of mortality, and we’ve seen many walls which have replaced “before I die” with something more oblique and gentle, such as “while I’m still alive.”Although these variations are worthy exercises and you’re free to make any kind of wall you like, they are not Before I Die walls. A key part of our mission is to remove the stigma of discussing death and to help inject conversations about mortality into a visual landscape that is preoccupied with instant gratification, youth, and distraction. When we become comfortable talking honestly and directly about death, we can help change the culture around it, from one that is full of death denial to one where we confront mortality in a way that compassionately prepares us as individuals and as a community.
Frequent Questions
How do I make a Before I Die wall?
If you’d like to build the wall yourself, you can download our free toolkit below to help you get started. This folder of resources includes a checklist of the materials you’ll need, a step-by-step guide, and options to purchase readymade stencils or templates so you can make your own.
Can I use the Before I Die project to promote my product, organization, service, or conference?
The Before I Die project was not intended to become a marketing tool or a free replacement for a well-considered public engagement campaign that is specific to your company, conference, service, or organization. If you are featuring a Before I Die wall at a conference or event, we hope you will consider making a donation, as this helps support our work.
Can I create a remix of this project that uses a different prompt than 'Before I die'?
Absolutely. Our focus is on supporting conversations about mortality and emotional health in public space, but you’re welcome to create your own prompt that is unaffiliated with our project. You can view a dozen examples of remixes in the middle of the Before I Die project page. If it’s helpful, you’re welcome to download our toolkit of resources for creating a wall, and we hope you will mention that your project was inspired by the Before I Die project.
How do I get local permission to make a Before I Die wall in my community?
Every city and town has different rules around public art. It’s helpful to begin by getting the blessing of people who live and work around your proposed site. It can also be helpful to speak to or partner with a local organization or institution that may have experience getting permission to install things in a public space. We have included a letter of support at the end of the Before I Die guide that explains the intentions of the project and can be used if needed to help gain permission.
Will my wall be featured on the Before I Die website?
In the past we tried to feature every Before I Die wall on our website. Now that there are over four thousand walls and dozens more created each month, we’re no longer able to create and maintain an online presence for every wall. You can find a closed archive of past walls here. We hope you will share your wall through your own networks.
How can I find out if a Before I Die wall is currently up in a particular place?
Most Before I Die walls are temporary installations, and with dozens of new walls appearing each month, we’re unable to keep track of the status of each wall. If you know the organization or individual who created the wall you’re searching for, it might be helpful to get in touch with them.
Can Candy Chang speak at the opening of my Before I Die wall?
Candy has enjoyed speaking at many universities, conferences, and organizations about community, creativity, and emotional health. These talks directly support her public art works. If you’re interested, please contact the Lavin Agency.
What are the specific terms and conditions for using the Before I Die project?
You are free to use, remix, transform, and build upon this licensed material under the following terms: 1) You must give appropriate credit; 2) You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use of the work; and 3) You may not use this material for commercial purposes.