The Strangers Project Wants to Know Your Story

Imagine sharing your deepest fears, joys, and struggles with a complete stranger. That's exactly what the Strangers Project is all about.

Founded in 2009 by Brandon Doman, the Strangers Project is an ongoing art exhibition and community-building project that invites people to anonymously share their stories in pursuit of the answer to the question, “What is it like being you?”. The project began as a way for Doman to connect with strangers and create a sense of community. It has since grown into a powerful platform that fosters empathy, vulnerability, and shared humanity.

At its core, the Strangers Project is simple: Brandon takes the project to public spaces around the city (most often at none other than Washington Square Park) and sets up his display of handwritten stories hung up with string and clothespins. Anyone passing through can stop to read the notes or write their own on a piece of paper, which are then displayed in future exhibitions for others to read. The stories cover a wide range of topics: childhood memories, struggles with sexuality, love stories, hopes for the future, biggest regrets, expressions of gratitude, and so much more. The result is a beautiful tapestry of experience.

Handwritten notes from the Strangers Project

Over the years, the Strangers Project has expanded in both size and scope. What began as a simple project in New York City has become a traveling exhibition that has appeared in cities across the United States. Doman published a book in 2015 featuring a selection of the stories collected over the project's first six years. In 2019, the project celebrated its 10th anniversary with a special exhibition at the Fountain House Gallery showcasing a curated selection of stories from the project's history. To date, the project has collected the stories of more than 65,000 strangers.

But what makes the Strangers Project so impactful isn't just its growth and reach. The project’s medium of handwritten submissions displayed anonymously in public spaces is powerful in its ability to break down the walls that so often keep us from being vulnerable. Reading the anonymous stories of strangers allows us to see parts of our own journeys reflected back at us, providing a sense of validation and comfort in knowing that we are not alone in our struggles or triumphs. It also enables us to experience the impact that our own story could have on someone else, in real time. Without the worry of judgment, rejection, and loss of respect, the people who choose to contribute their own stories are free to express their innermost thoughts, fears, and truths, creating an experience that underscores the common threads of the human condition.

The Strangers Project's unique approach to storytelling creates a safe space that not only allows but encourages people to reveal their most vulnerable selves– an emotional release and catharsis that many don’t even know they needed. There's something powerful about the physical act of putting pen to paper and sharing your story with a stranger.

The project’s unique approach also reveals something about the emotional power of art and media that finds ways to connect us through highlighting our shared humanity. It challenges us to reconsider the importance of empathy and understanding in a world that can often feel disconnected and fragmented. It reminds us that we all have a story worth sharing. 

So, if you ever see a display of handwritten notes in Washington Square Park, take a moment to read the stories and connect with the humanity behind them. Who knows, maybe you'll even feel inspired to share a piece of yourself with a stranger.

Currently, you can find the Strangers Project at the World Trade Center Oculus from Thursdays to Sundays between 2:00-6:30 PM.