2018 | Canberra Gratitude Project Proposal

Concept: The Canberra Gratitude Project

Practicing gratitude involves individuals deliberately and regularly noticing and reflecting on what they are thankful for. This practice has been shown to improve physical and mental health and to increase overall happiness. Benefits include: more positive emotions; increased wellbeing and caring behaviour; stronger relationships; improved sleep; a stronger immune system; and improved overall physical health. The Canberra Gratitude project harnesses the gratitude of a sample of Canberra people by asking them to reflect on what they are grateful for and representing it visually as a sculptural and painted installation.

Part 1: Installation - Canberra Gratitude Tree

The installation - The Canberra Gratitude Tree - is a reinterpretation of the traditional Christmas tree, which provided a centre to the ritual of giving and receiving gifts; and the ‘Wishing Tree’ which within many religions facilitated the acts of wishing and providing offerings. While both the Christmas Tree and the Wishing Tree are about what people can receive, the Gratitude Tree is about what people already have: it harnesses and celebrates the practice of gratitude as a gift  to the community, helping Canberrans to become happier. The Canberra Gratitude Tree will comprise of an installation of ‘gratitude lanterns’ made from coloured perspex and LED lights. The lanterns will be stacks of coloured boxes that visualise the data of what Canberrans are grateful for. During the day the sunlight will illuminate the transparent coloured perspex whilst at night the lanterns will be lit with internal lights. A minimum of 7 large lanterns approximately 120cm x 60cm will be installed to ensure maximum impact in the large oak tree.

Data Collection

A preliminary survey has already been conducted that asks Canberrans what they are most grateful for and why. A sample of over 100 responses have been collected in order to assist with the concept development for this proposal. (The survey may be reached from the home page of jodiecunningham.com, or directly at GoogleDocs). The act of each participant documenting their gratitude itself helps them (and often, others too) to become happier. The next stage of the project will be to collect data from a wider audience and categorise it into dataset to generate ‘maps’ for different lanterns. It is anticipated that each lantern will represent a different data subset for example a ‘ family’ lantern that will visualize the volume of responses for gratitude items like husband, wife, children, daughter, son, pets etc.  

Part 2: Interactive performance

As part of planned performance Canberra audiences will be able to contribute to the installation by selecting a ‘chip’ of perspex with a engraved ‘gratitude item’ word engraved onto it. Live performers will then take the chips and hang them at the bottom of the appropriate lantern. The installation will grow as more and more participants select their chips and ribbons of words lengthen under the lanterns. Live lighting effects will illuminate the lanterns that are currently being activated by the addition of chips.

Part 3: Gratitude graphic pavement installation

The footpaths surrounding the tree will be painted will a graphic representation of the data transforming the entire courtyard into a tribute to gratitude.

Sample Data: The things Canberrans are grateful for…