In My Wish: Use Art to Turn the World Inside Out, JR attempts to convince creative minds to come together to spread a message of acceptance and controversy. JR talks about how he used his passion to spread a message and touch people’s lives. He is the perfect example of the revised American Dream.
JR began as a street artist and started to paste his photos in public to impact the society on current issues. He noticed that his work served as a catalyst for conversation and a platform for the unheard voices of society to spread their story. JR and his friends began to travel and launch projects exposing the unjust prejudice of society including women's appreciation, ethnic difference, and political issues. He served as a platform for the voiceless letting their flaws, accomplishments, and successes be seen by their community. JR noticed the community wanted to help spread the message of individual stories so he began The Inside out project. I wish for you to stand up for what you care about by participating in a global art project, and together we';; turn the world inside out," said JR. The project encourages photographers around the world to participate by submitting photos that JR's team will print and send back to help the artist spread their desired message.
JR represents the revised American Dream expressing new success ideals as Zinsser states in The Right to Fail. “They just don’t buy the old standards of success and are rapidly writing new ones” (Zinsser) Zinsser said. He explains the importance of pushing our individual boundaries as well as social boundaries to create a fulfilling and successful product. New age success in based on moral prosperity instead of monetary and materialistic triumph. Although still keeping standards from the American Dream JR shows the new found appreciation for art and how touching people's lives contributes to the improvement of society and represents a stride towards equal representation in the community.
We value each other by the number on our paycheck ignoring the ones below us not aware of their inspiring joy, “They only have a wallet in their heads,” said Acuna (Parade). JR gives the invisible lower class a new found recognition in society aiding equal social representation.
Art is an important part of my life and this speech has helped me further explore possibilities to help people through my art. In today’s society we are creating new careers catered to our individual dreams. It is now possible for creative minds to succeed in the eyes of the strictly educational society. We can thank people like JR for opportunities to create and change the world to achieve a moral prosperity.
Like JR I tell stories through photography and use them to tell a story of courage and empowerment using members of the community.