In 2011, world-renown street artist, JR, made this simple wish after winning the TED Prize which grants the winner $1 million to impact the world.

“I wish for you to stand up for what you care about by participating in a global art project, and together we will turn the world... INSIDE OUT.”

— JR

On November 1st and 2nd, The LAB hosted the Inside Out Project, a nationwide, participatory art initiative created by JR. The Inside Out Project is currently on a two-month campaign known as #IOPDreamers to create a portrait of America that includes immigrants and the descendants of immigrants alike. Costa Mesa being only their second California stop, #IOPDreamers seeks to increase awareness about the 2017 Dream Act in the recent rescind of DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals). 

During this stop, the Inside Out Project brought a photo booth truck to the community and gave individuals an opportunity to take their pictures and use art as an expression of standing in solidarity with Dreamers. Each person's portrait was printed onto a 3x4 foot paper and posted to one of The LAB's buildings. 

Jaime Scatena is the Truck Manager and became a volunteer with Inside Out Project back in 2013. When asked what he loves about the project, Scatena said, "We lost this contact with physical photography and in a world saturated with digital images, [Inside Out Project] somehow steps back and get[s] the photography printed again." 

More than just photography art, this truck seeks to answer the question, "Could art change the world?" "Most of the time, people don't know how to make their voice be heard, but this is an easy way to get involved in something that can promote positive change," said Scatena.  

The truck will continue onto Long Beach, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Miami, Houston, Washington DC and 19 other cities over the next seven weeks. Check out their website here to see how you can get involved and follow #IOPDreamers on Instagram for updates!