Mess Idea

I've recently acquired a copy of Keri Smith's book Mess.  If you're not familiar with Keri or her works, I will direct you to her website to become acquainted with the type of things she writes: http://www.kerismith.com/

Basically, her books contain challenges/tasks/ideas on each page that you must complete in order to finish the book.  Things like "While in a public place, draw a large circle in full view.  Color it in." and other random things.  This sort of thing might not seem like it encourages creativity or originality, but it actually does.

To give you an idea, here's my copy of Keri's This Is Not A Book:

(His name is Gaius Non Libris.  And I know it might look like it but no, he's not a book.  Hence the title.)

I've been working on my This Is Not A Book for several months now, and it's actually quite fun to go through and find the tasks I would like to complete, especially with my friends.  But with Mess, I might try something different.  Instead of just following the instructions and doing everything in the book by myself, I'm considering trying to turn it into a group project.

My idea is to do a certain number of pages myself, then pass the book onto someone else with these rules:

1.) You must complete (certain number) of tasks in this book.  You may choose which ones, as long as they have not been completed before.
2.) You must include evidence within the book that you completed said tasks (if your task takes place outside of the book, you must at least include pictures of your project).
3.) After completing said number of tasks, you must pass the book on to someone else who has not had the book before, and they must continue the chain.
4.) Once the book is complete, you must mail it back to me (and include my address or something inside the book).

I'm thinking this would be REALLY cool to do.  Then, not only would I have some fun with it, but it would turn into this collaborative thing with a bunch of people I might not even know.  And I could see others' ideas and creative pursuits in following the book's instructions.  It would be super awesome!!

I've been unsure about it for a while, but I'm really starting to think that this might be a good idea.  Also, I agree with the message of the book, and I'd like it to reach as many creative people as possible (in case you're wondering, the overall message is that you should stop worrying so much about being perfect and allow yourself to mess things up sometimes because it frees your creative mind).  It would be kinda like a travelling creative project!

If this does happen, I'll definitely post pictures and updates (whenever I get them) here.

In the words of Mumbo Jumbo: "Hope this works!"

Victoria