Frank Warren started PostSecret four years ago as an outlet for people to anonymously reveal concealed elements of themselves, things that they had never told anyone before. Since then the project has taken off, now including a Web site (updated weekly), art exhibits and four books. Warren is speaking in Page Auditorium March 18 as part of "Duke Unmasked," and in anticipation of his visit recess' Kevin Lincoln spoke with Warren about the project, the nature of secrets and what it's like to run such an emotional undertaking.
What gave you the idea to start something like this?
I think in hindsight I needed to face secrets in my own life that I was hiding from, and seeing the courage strangers would show me on the postcard inspired me to face those parts of myself.
What effect does the process of saddling so many others' personal secrets have on you?
Well, I think I've had to change as a person to become the person who can do this every day. What I try and do, because it can feel heavy at times, is focus on the process. Hopefully, the process a person goes through when they mail me a secret is they first paste it on a postcard and then physically let it go to someone who they're never going to meet, most likely, and I like to think that gives people the opportunity to reconcile with their own secrets in ways that are appropriate for them.
How do the anonymous postcards compare to the speaking engagements, which involve individuals getting up in front of their peers and openly sharing deep and personal secrets?
It demonstrates how young people today are more confident talking about parts of their own life that their parents would never share. I also think that one of the things I'm trying to do every time I speak is to bring the spirit that's always there on PostSecret-of being compassionate and non-judgmental and treating everybody's secret with respect-and I'm very fortunate in being able to bring that same feeling to a physical place where people feel comfortable talking about things under normal circumstances they would never say.
Do you believe that PostSecret is voyeuristic or intrusive?
I wouldn't describe it as being intrusive because it's something that all parties are volunteering to. But I would say that all of us have a natural curiosity about what's happening in other people's lives. In a lot of cases that's why people read autobiographies or see films. But what can be surprising is you might initially come to PostSecret thinking you're doing it for voyeuristic reasons, but you might leave having understood something new about yourself by seeing it articulated on a stranger's postcard.
Where do you hope to take PostSecret in the future?
I don't really set goals for PostSecret. I just try and follow where it leads me and try and continue to grow it organically and ensure that I don't screw up what I feel is this very precious trust that some of these strangers have in me.
For the full interview, go to http://playground.chronicleblogs.com.
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