Dear Future Self,

Elise Mortensen, February 2015

Final zine: 7″ x 7″ in envelope

Digitally printed and hand bound, total edition of 16.

 

This project attempts to challenge cultural assumptions about aging by elevating individuals who celebrate all periods of life. By highlighting anecdotes about elders whose outlook and spirit are particularly positive or inspiring, I am not only creating a visual catalog of my own goals for old age, but creating a platform for further dialogue.

The zines are being mailed to important people in my life, all at different stages. The postcard, found at the end of the publication, provides a space for audience members/participants to send their thoughts back to me. Prompting questions include:

What facets of your personality or identity do you hope to carry with you throughout all stages of your life?

What pieces of advice or wisdom would you give your 22-year-old self?

Is there an older individual in your life whose actions and attitude you admire?

By the end of the process, I will have an additional catalogue of thoughts and comments about aging, which I intend to make into a second publication, building off of the feedback from critique.

 

Process:

IMG_7132

Process 1: Sketches

IMG_7133

Process 2: Sketches

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Documentation of final publication:

IMG_7136

IMG_7205

Final publication 1

IMG_7206

Final publication 2

Final publication 3

Final publication 3

IMG_7208

Final publication 4

Final publication 5

Final publication 5

Final publication 6

Final publication 6

Final publication 7

Final publication 7

Final publication 8

Final publication 8

 

Staged distribution:

IMG_7105IMG_7109 IMG_7110 IMG_7113 IMG_7114 IMG_7115 IMG_7118 IMG_7122 IMG_7124 IMG_7131