SECRET MESSAGE PROJECT

The Secret Message Project is an interactive social game that was released in conjunction with the first volume of Hijinx World Magazine.

Artist Statement

The first thirty orders received a mysterious red envelope, which contained a journal and instructions to the game.

The project is a 'broken-telephone' type game, where the participants are challenged to share cryptic messages in analog forms.

Participants need to write a secret message directed to a person of their choosing. This will likely be a friend or family member, but could be a stranger as well. They must present this envelope to a target, and request that they continue the chain-reaction of secret message sending. By coercing others into this mysterious activity, this develops a synthetic "clique" of individuals who have exclusive access to this unique experience of exchanging secret messages.



This construct is inspired by rejection-therapy practices. While the primary participants have bought into this project and can expect this weirdness, the secondary participants likely have no clue about the origins of this project. In some communities, peculiar ideas like this are the norm, and some friend groups won't blink twice at such a proposal. However, others might be the only unconventional creative in their social cirlces, and might be challenged when asking non-artistic friends or co-workers to engage with the project, and even risk rejection.

If a messenger experiences a rejection or the envelope is returned, they must cross out the secret message they wrote to that individual, and try again with a new target.

Liza Desya was given the role of writing the first message to all the participants, due to her having a personal relationship with many of the participants. While most were friends/family, and others were strangers. In every instance, She wrote a sincere message with an undertone of either mystery, or vulnerability – sharing message that id be too afraid to say in real life. The goal was to set the tone, and ideally inspire others to be open with their messages as well.



If all message boxes are filled, then the project is considered completed. Participants receive permission to open the yellow packet, which contains a reward, and further instructions on how to progress onto the next levels of the game.