In some ways, this period of solitude has felt like a creative reinterpretation of what I imagine life may have been like for some people several decades ago. When I conjure up the image of half-empty subway cars or quiet streets where no sound is louder than birdsong, I think about how it feels like we're collectively traveling back in time to a moment in history when the pace of life might have been slower and softer for many. When social hubs were local rather than digital, and we actually knew our neighbors. When there were far lower levels of sound and air pollution to contend with, and we were less beholden to the tyranny of quantifiable productivity. In this collage kit, I've created and collected imagery that represents the way I see the world now: a relic of the rose-tinted past.

We recommend printing these pages out so you can use good old-fashioned scissors and glue to do some arts and crafts. When you're done, send a photo or a scan of your artwork to hello@nearnessproject.com. Happy collaging! 

Download the first page of Alia's kit here. 

Download the second page here, full of of found imagery.

A floral background pattern here!

And a textured background here!

This was published under Adolescent's collaboration with Nearness Project. Check them out here.