Liza Desya

Concept

This red envelope contains instructions for an an interactive social game called The Secret Message Project. You can tell that it's a secret by the huge question mark printed on the front.

Front of a red envelope with a big printed question mark in it's middle. Sitting on a white pedestal.

Back of a red envelope with printed sticker reading: 'I wrote you a secret message. It is located inside this envelope. Do you wish to read it?'.

Hijinx World Addition

The participants were chosen through the first thirty pre-orders of the Hijinx World Magazine. Recipients received this mysterious red envelope along with their purchase.

The secret message envelope sitting next to Hijinx World Magazine

The challenge begins with this message:

Inside

There is a small journal containing the instructions of the game. The rules are simple:

Secret message project rules: 1. Read your secret message. 2. Write a new secret message. 3. Return all contens back into the red envelope. 4. Deliver the envelope to the next target.

The first message was written by me. It was necesairy to set the tone, and express my own vulnerability, in hopes to gain the trust of my participants.

Example of secret message page, including a box to write messages inside. The first message reads: From Liza, to Evgo Stillwell. Dear Evgo, are you human, chat bot, ageless nymph, or just a dream that I've imagined? I see you everywhere, in this maze of coincidences, unraveling threads until the end of time. My secret is this: I've heard about your magic machine, and I wish to see it with my own eyes. -Liza

The back of the journal clearly states a due date. This ensures less procrastination on the task.

Due date: April 30th. 1. All message boxes must be filled. 2. Return the envelope to messenger #1. 3. They must open the yellow packet. 4. Follow instructions to recieve the reward & next hijinx challenge.

Challengers are motivated to finish the project through the provision of a reward: permission to open this yellow packet. Inside the yellow packet, there was a pre-printed address and stamp, giving the user the power to return their secret message, in exchange for the chance to be included in a Secret Message Project Zine, which is currently in development.

Scan of closed yellow packet: 'LOCKED. ONLY OPEN ONCE SECRET MESSAGE PROJECT IS COMPLETED'

Concept

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

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.

Returned Secret Messages

Since the passing of the due date, secret messages have been slowly returning back to home-base. Only the participants who finished the challenge were able to open the yellow packet (with an honest conscience) and send their messages through the mail.