Out About Hugh Leeman JR's Inside Out Project.

A few weeks ago I met up with Hugh Leeman and friends in the Tenderloin section of San Francisco. Leeman took part in JR's project Inside Out -- "a large-scale participatory art project that transforms messages of personal identity into pieces of artistic work" -- JR hopes this will become the world's largest public participatory art project.

Leeman has worked often with homeless men in his work here in San Francisco, creating their likeness on paste ups, paintings and t-shirts among other things. (The latter's proceeds he donates to the individuals who inspired the work). Inside Out it is a perfect avenue for Leeman's work: giving disposable cameras to men who live on the streets or in shelters to take pictures of their friends and 'neighbors'. The wall is a result of these photos. It was a beautiful Sunday -- and lots of people were there to help with the project, including the men who inspired it.

Be sure you watch the video below, it is the first in a series of vids about the project. Very moving.