Jar of Problems, Glass Jar, Paper, flyer 2023, Photo: Carey Shaw

Located on the lower level of “Place Riel”, close to the ATMs and the free publication station, there are some flyers on the pinboard. Among all of these flyers, posters, and advertisements, there is one particular one that contains instructions for a glass jar on the shelf beside it. The flyer is looks familiar, starting with texts that we have read a hundred times, with claims that we doubt are true. The flyer asks you about your personal problems, regarding anything in life, anything you might want to share incognito. But as you keep reading, you realize this is more of an instruction and not a solution for said problems.
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The purpose is clear, you are being provided with a safe space to talk about your personal struggles anonymously, just to get them off your chest since sometimes even with the closest person to you there are untold secrets and burdens. I wanted to provide this space since I believe the act of writing, folding the paper, throwing it in a jar and closing the lid as symbolic and theatrical as it may look, can be therapeutic.