Today we’d like to introduce you to Rora Blue.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
The Unsent Project started as a text post on Tumblr. It was a simple post that invited people to anonymously share a text message they never got to send to their first love. It also asked the submitter to include the color they associate with that person. I had a small Tumblr blog with just friends and family following me. I was just a 19-year-old girl on my laptop in my bedroom. Submissions came in slowly at first, and then a little faster. One day, I woke up and had 20,000 submissions in my inbox. I knew I had created something that resonated with people.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Since I started the Unsent Project in 2015, there have certainly been challenges. In the beginning, I didn’t have any infrastructure set up to run a large scale art project. I was 19 and just trying to figure out on a basic level who I was. In that sense, I was kind of thrown into it all and had to make it up as I went. I did the best I could with what I had and what I didn’t have, I figured out how to get. For example, I needed a better submission platform but couldn’t afford to hire someone to make one. So, I taught myself how to code and created something very basic but functional. If I could give one piece of advice to young women, it would be that there is never going to be ‘a perfect time’. If you know what you want to do but don’t know how to do it, just start. You can figure out how to fill in the missing pieces as you go.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into The Unsent Project story. Tell us more about it.
I am a new media artist and I actively produce artwork that can be defined by color, text, and interactivity. Most of my work relies heavily on color to communicate a feeling to the viewer. Participation, and documenting the experiences of others is also essential to my process. I’m proud of being able to include others in my artistic process and giving them an outlet for expression. I am best known for my series Handle With Care and for the Unsent Project, which now has over 47,000 submissions.
Do you have a lesson or advice you’d like to share with young women just starting out?
Your differences make you unique, not complicated.
Contact Info:
- Address: Upcoming show in LA- Large Unsent Project Installation
205 S. Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90004
September 13th and 14th 2019
7-10pm - Website: rorablue.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @rorablue
Image Credit:
Rora Blue
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