WHAT IS A MAN?
The question that sparked a project & led to the collection of hundreds of handwritten responses!
These have been compiled with care for publication Available now from the bookshop!
THE STORY BEHIND
THE PROJECT:
Like many young boys growing up, the idea of being a man – and being seen as such – was important to me. It shaped which sports to take part in, which career path to go for, and how to behave around others.
I had a definition of what a man should be. And I wanted to BE A MAN according to this definition.
“Be A Man”
But where did I get my definition from? It must have come from somewhere… How did it make its way to me? And is it the same as yours?…
Since 2019, I have been meeting people and asking them to write down their answer to the question: “WHAT IS A MAN?”
“A KALEIDOSCOPE
OF MASCULINITIES“
The result is a beautiful collection of handwritten answers from people of all ages and walks of life. They offer an intimate glimpse into how the world views modern manhood.
SOME ANSWERS SO FAR:
“A man is a builder, helper and they help people.”
♂ (male), aged 8
“Being a man has nothing to do with age, status, or muscle. And everything to do with character.”
♂ (male), aged 73
A man… Where to begin.? A friend told me she was ‘sick’ of men. Twenty minutes later she was at the bar kissing one. It seems to me, we go through phases, cycles even of hating and wanting men. The world wouldn’t exist without them. They, are annoying and stupid as they can be sometimes are the requirement of life. A devil and a blessing – Life givers !”
♀ (female), aged 26
“A man is like this page…
… Nothing but also everything.”
♀ (female), aged 31
“A man should arrive on time.”
♂ (male), aged 23
What about you?…
What would
YOUR
answer be?
The variety of thoughts that people have shared has allowed my own definition and understanding of masculinity to grow and to change. Perhaps it will do the same for you…
It’s easy to look at the state of masculinity today and think it’s reason to despair.
THIS PROJECT IS
AN ANTIDOTE TO
DESPAIR.
Without a role model, young men navigate through trial and error with no positive guidance.
This project
serves as a
role model.
The “notes on men” project started as a collection of handwritten answers to the question “WHAT IS A MAN?” and is – hopefully – growing into a mixed-media exploration of masculinity.
“A man should take action on what he believes is right.”
♂ (male), aged 62
TAKE A LOOK AT THE ANSWERS IN OUR LATEST PUBLICATION (More titles available in our Bookshop)
The shop from where you can find out more about the publications & grab yourself a book! (and maybe some other merch ;))
Blog, updates, articles, essays and other things…
The long story short of how the project came into existence & a biography of its creator.
Contact form & social media links for you to be in touch.
Ways of supporting the project.