Why?

The 'why' of it all is probably not what you would guess. This did not start out as a statement against capitalism or our disposable culture. Actually I was upset about a different kind of waste.

In October 2008 my cousin Michael was killed in a car accident. He and three of his friends were in a fast car without enough seat belts. They left a country road and three of the four of them were killed. He was in his early 20s and was just beginning his life. That is the waste against which I am rebelling. I know the project does not seem to relate to Michael and his death does not seem to make sense within the project.

Michael was a really fun guy. He rebelled some, as young people do, but he was just finishing school and was going to buy a house and settle down with a really nice girl. I remember him getting into trouble a lot when we were kids. I also remember Michael visiting my grandfather and driving him around when grandpa was in hospice care.

Michael and I were not particularly close. I did not see him more than 3 times a year, if that. If I began this project when he was alive I do not know if I would have told him about it. If I did I am not sure he would have cared. None the less, his death and the senseless waste of his very promising life made me upset with all the other waste in my life.

I decided to go a year without buying any new clothes. I then decided to go until my birthday in 2010. In the beginning the project was simple and I felt better doing it. I had not bothered with rules and ethical dilemmas had not surfaced yet.

So, although on the surface these two things do not appear connected, this project came about because of my cousin Michael.