In a heated political and cultural climate, live gatherings are being used more and more to build community and create safe, empowering spaces for women, minorities, the L.G.B.T. community, and other marginalized groups. Designers and sponsors have been capitalizing on the trend, in part with crowd-sourced message walls where attendees are invited to grab a pen and write down messages of encouragement for their peers.
Often doubling as photo ops or eye-catching art installations, these message walls can highlight themes of the event, encourage social sharing, and give attendees a fun place to express themselves. Click through the slide show for some recent examples from Facebook, HBO, L’Oréal Paris, and more.
L’Oréal Paris worked with Agenc to host a "Galentine’s Day" event in New York in February 2017. At a graffiti wall, guests were encouraged to write why they are “worth it," a play on the beauty brand's well-known slogan.
Photo: Donald Bowers/Getty Images for L'Oreal
At this year’s VidCon, held in Anaheim, California, in June, Facebook created a tranquil, outdoors-meets-indoors lounge specifically for creators. Attendees were encouraged to add inspiring messages and drawings for their peers on a large chalkboard wall.
Photo: Trevor Muhler
Facebook Messenger used a similar idea at the third Girlboss Rally, held in Los Angeles in April. On a wall dubbed "Messages That Matter,” attendees and speakers left hundreds of messages of encouragement for each other throughout the day, such as “Just write the draft,” “Be fkn nice,” and “Be a self-made dreamer.”
Photo: Chris Swoszowski
National Geographic hosted two separate movie premieres for its documentary Gender Revolution in Washington and New York in February 2017. The standout element at both events was an eye-catching message wall. Before the screening, the white wall with the hashtag #GenderRevolution emblazoned across the middle served as a decor element. Afterward, event producers brought out paint and markers for guests to decorate with. A mixture of handprints and empowering statements about sexuality and gender identity covered the walls by the end of both events.
Photo: Courtesy of National Geographic
HBO held an interactive pop-up exhibit inspired by the network’s new late-night series, Random Acts of Flyness, in August in New York. The exhibit, which was produced by Team Epiphany, featured vignettes inspired by the themes and cultural idioms featured in the series, which explores patriarchy, white supremacy, and sensuality through a stream-of-conscience style. The “Black Women Won’t Save Us All?” room recognized black women who have made history by broadcasting names on a screen. Attendees were invited to write the name of a black woman who has inspired them on two walls that flanked the screen.
Photo: Dorothy Hong
At the 29th annual Glaad Media Awards, held in Los Angeles in April, biopharmaceutical company Gilead had a photo booth with images printed on-site; guests could post their photo on a wall and write messages about how they will help end H.I.V./AIDS in the United States. Gilead representatives were also on hand to discuss the company's initiatives.
Photo: Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Glaad
The Hollywood Reporter and SAG-AFTRA teamed up to host an Emmys party earlier this month in Beverly Hills. Emmy nominees such as Darren Criss (pictured) were asked to write words of advice and wisdom for their peers, which were displayed by the red carpet.
Photo: Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Hollywood Reporter
At Variety’s Power of Young Hollywood event, held in Los Angeles in August, sponsor 3 Musketeers created a #ThrowShine photo op. Celebrities, including 14-year-old actress Peyton Elizabeth Lee (pictured), chose a magnet to post on the wall; each magnet included inspiring, encouraging messages for their peers.
Photo: Stewart Cook for Variety
To celebrate the premiere of its new 1980s dance musical drama series Pose, FX worked with BMF Media Group to host an authentic ball in a former Harlem church in June. At the #Pose4Love activation, guests could watch messages of positivity recorded by cast members. They could also write positive messages of their own and post them on the wall; the messages were later shared with members of L.G.B.T.Q. organizations.
Photo: Sean Smith
At the "Pandora Sounds Like You: Summer" concert, held in Los Angeles in July 2017, feminine hygiene product brand Always created the Always Empowerment Wall. Guests were invited to write messages of women’s empowerment, then take photos to share on social. Always also activated in the women’s bathroom, placing custom decals on the mirrors and handing out samples.
Photo: Rachel Murray/Getty Images for Pandora
Danielle Gibson Events holds a regular event series called Take Time to Toast, which is dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs and toasting accomplishments of those in nontraditional work roles. The February edition, held in San Francisco, had a "Galentine’s Day" theme. A “Collaboration Station” featured a bag for each attendee. Next to the wall was a candy station by CandyClub with branded valentines that included phrases such as “I want to take time to toast you” or "You're the best* thing in my life (*besides Rosé).” Guests were encouraged to fill a small candy bag and write a card to another attendee.
Photo: Meg Smith Photography
To launch its new EcoSport, Ford held an experiential event in January 2018 in New York. Produced by Civic Entertainment Group, the event showcased life hacks for traveling, cooking, organizing, and more. Attendees completed the phrase "In 2018 I will..." and added their hang tags to a giant display board.
Photo: Donald Bowers/Getty Images for Ford Motor Company
