With bold, black lettering written across a blank canvas of skin, Robert X. Fogarty uses his message-on-skin style and photography skills to inspire people from around the world.
Dear World, his own creation, is an inspirational movement striving to create a better world and platform where people can share their message to the world and have their voices heard.
A two-part event is taking place on Thursday, May 2. The first part — at the EMU from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m to 3 p.m. — is an open-portrait shoot where students and faculty are welcome to come and experience his message-on-skin style. This style allows individuals to have a voice expressing anything from beliefs and desires to thoughts and prayers for those in need through photographs of personal messages displayed on their skin.
“I’m excited for Dear World for a few reasons,” said Brian Bradley, ASUO public relations director. “One is because it’s a UO (School of Journalism and Communication) alumni speaking and doing the event. It’s amazing to see where former UO students are now and what fantastic things they’re doing. I’m also excited because the people who are attending are the ones projecting their messages.”
Doors open at 7:15 p.m. for the second part of the event, which will take place in the Great Room in the Global Scholars Hall. Here, inspirational portraits will be released for everyone to see. The portrait release will be followed by a keynote speech where several moving and motivational stories will be told.
“It’s just about social, cultural and all different areas of people’s life” said Ashley Anderson, nontraditional student advocate for the ASUO, “and gaining a better understanding and appreciation of each other and seeing what people have to say. You might know what your best friend or your boss has to say, but you can never be sure.”
The first part of the event has inspired Fogarty to begin his campaign by sending photographic love notes to New Orleans, La., after Hurricane Katrina.
“We’re working towards a beautiful, wonderful world,” he said on the Dear World website, ”Where more people send a message to family, friends and strangers in this way. Where people get that we’re connected and that you can build something fast alone, but to build anything great you have to go together.”
In addition, there will be a luncheon for SOJC students at noon, in Allen 211, giving students a chance to ask Fogarty questions and network.