Open Dialogue
If you could ask a stranger a question about anything —
what would you ask?
The world can feel divisive and separate. The Open Dialogue project tapped into our shared humanity. Open Dialogue was a photo storytelling project that explored the depth and connection of humanity across an array of people from different backgrounds and experiences. The project included capturing the images of participants in the moment they responded to a question presented from the person of the previous portrait.
Open Dialogue was more than a conversation among strangers — the project also created in-person events to bring people together for in-depth interactions.
With a diverse group of people participating, we created a richer, more inclusive human dialogue. By fostering community events, the Open Dialogue project helped to spark conversations, to show that we are more connected — and more alike — than we realize.
“Do you know how much plastic is dumped into the oceans every year?”
“How do you value money?”
“What does balance look like for you?”
“What is a quality from your childhood or past that you wish to be able to reclaim for yourself right now in the present?”
“How has your life been for you and can you explain it?”
“What food is love for you?”
“What has you know that you are enough?”
“How are you taking care of yourself or taking care of your heart to make sure you’re happy?”
“What do you love?”
“What is your most radical belief?”
“How can man make a contract with god, binding on man?”
“I’m curious, how involved are you with what is going on in our country? Did you vote in the last election? If you did, are you staying up with what’s going on? If you didn’t, do you have any regrets?”
“What do you absolutely know to be true for a fact, beyond a debate?”
“Regarding the immigrant and refugee community in the US, what do you think about family separation. After the new administration, there has been a lot of new separations. What do you think and how do you feel about that?”
“Can you describe a space where you feel most safe?”
“What dreams did you dream of when you were younger that now you think are no longer important and why?”
“What was a pivotal moment in your life that changed your perspective?”
“What is your happiest memory?”
“What do you fear? What are you afraid of?”
“In one hundred years, someone opens a time capsule of yours from today. What do they find inside of it?”
“What is your hope for the future?”
“How would you describe the differences between your friends?”
“What is your most noteworthy spiritual experience?”
“If you had no responsibilities, no concerns about judgement right or wrong, and nothing to tie you down, what would you go do right now?”
“What would you like the next generation to understand?”
“How do you feel about politics in today's society?”
“Where do you think you’ll be in fifty years from now in your journey in life?”
“What is humanity's place on this earth?”
“In what capacity do you feel firearms should be allowed in America?”
“How would you say wealth is created?”
“If you could spend a day doing whatever you want, what would you do?”
“What’s the one thing in life that lights you up?”
“What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done and how did it turn out?”
“What does femininity and masculinity mean to you and how does it show up in your life?”
“Have you ever fallen in love? If yes, tell us about it. If no, why do you think you haven’t yet?”
“What would you do if you fell in love with someone of the same sex?”