The Free Pass Project – A Social Practice of Spontaneous Compassion and Conversation

Creatively enacting spontaneous compassion and conversation.

(PLEASE NOTE: this website is now an archive of a ten year public art project that engaged and made the day better for over 4,000 people. My full art and project site is www.rachelcyreneblackman.com.)"FREE PASS": two words that can communicate simple compassion. Who needs the grace of a free pass now and again? Almost everyone. Think about your day, and even the last few hours. Has there been a moment where you've given yourself a hard time or been in a frustration? Have you interacted with a loved one or stranger who is stressed, is doing the best they can, feels disengaged from … Read More...

Read Our Stories...

Free Pass blogger…

Keep Working on Love (Blogger from Maine: link) TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2014 Free Pass A ref friend of mine sent me this funny little poker chip in the mail the other day. “Free Pass” was stamped on its face. The enclosed note described how it was a part of an interactive art project, the idea […]

Shopping line…

“I was grocery shopping one afternoon and made a bee line for the shortest line. The couple ahead of me had a full to overflowing carriage and a screaming, red-faced 2 year old, clearly in need of a nap, which her mother kept calmly repeating, each utterance met with another wail from the child. I […]

Shy people…

“I obtained a bunch of tokens and did random drops in the Washington DC area while on a trip. I am shy and random drops are the easiest way for me to distribute them. I enjoyed leaving them on subway platforms, on park benches, and in my hotel room for the next guest.” Emily B. 

My photo project…

I’m really loving the project. I’m looking for photo ops of things that can be interpreted as needing a free pass, so maybe folks will see the photos and go” I needed a free pass for that today as well. Today was “you know what, it’s okay not to make your bed every morning.” But […]