Mistakes is the result of my hunt for meaning, and finding it in unexpected places. Collected during my darkest moments experiencing mental illness, these photos inspired a commitment to view life's ups and downs as equally meaningful. Yearning to reconnect with life forced me to observe my surroundings, to rescue these beautiful outcasts. I encourage you to take your time to enjoy them. Observe slowly, and fully, and find your own meaning.
Special thanks to my wife for her unyielding love, accepting me as I am, and to those supporting this project.
— David Sundt, Curator
A note from the curator.
THE COLLECTION
These accidental photos were curated over the course of two years, swiping through hundreds – thousands – of photos. This collection represents many hours of sifting through carefully posed selfies and social media-ready vacation pics, to look for these missed takes. It’s almost as if the camera itself has a life of its own; the moment we’re not paying attention, it captures the unseen beauty that we refuse to point the camera at ourselves.
As Marcel Proust said, “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.” However you are feeling today – hope or fear; joy or sadness; pride or shame – bring that context to these photographs and try to see yourself through new eyes. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes along the way.
As with these mistakes – missed takes – many of the most important facets of life are prone to be overlooked. This collection aims to increase awareness of one issue affecting millions of people in the United States each year – mental illness, things like abuse, addiction, anxiety, eating disorders, depression, suicidal thoughts, and problems at school. Studies show that 21% of United States adults reported experiencing mental illness in 2020 (52.9 million people). This represents 1 in 5 adults. In recognition of these individuals, this collection offers 21 unique prints, each a limited edition of 21.
Mistakes is a philanthropic collaborator with Crisis Text Line, donating 21% of net proceeds for each artwork sold. Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7, high-quality, text-based mental health support and crisis intervention by empowering a community of trained volunteers to support people in their moments of need. Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the United States, anytime. Charity Navigator gives Crisis Text Line a 100 out of 100, so you can give confidently. For more information, or if you or someone you know needs support, visit Crisis Text Line.
Who took these photographs?
Having spotted an accidental photo on his own cell phone, and being inspired to create this collection, curator David Sundt embarked on a two-year social experiment requesting permission to browse the personal digital photo albums of friends and new acquaintances - searching for these beautiful outcasts. Generously, and with the commitment that 21% of net proceeds from the Mistakes collection will be donated to Crisis Text Line, those who provided a featured image released copyright to Mistakes; their phones are credited with taking the photos and revealing these surreal limited edition pieces. Photography is credited to the devices themselves: Apple iPhone 5s, 6, 6s, 8, XS, 11, 11 Pro, 12 Pro, 13 Pro.
Museum Quality Acrylic Prints
Mistakes uses the best materials possible to produce these limited-edition artworks. The printing process used creates large, high-resolution images in stunning colors. All artwork comes signed by the curator and is accompanied by a numbered certificate of authenticity. All photographs are copyrighted to David Sundt, DBA Mistakes, yet the phones that captured these surreal images are credited with taking the photos.
Every piece of this collection is offered on Lumachrome®, a unique archival transparency photo paper that features vivid, brilliant colors lasting over 120 years with amazing three-dimensional depth. This proprietary process uses a transparency layer that is infused with iridium particles and encapsulated in a layer suspended between the white poly surface and acrylic. When illuminated with quality lighting, the special properties of the print surface make it react with a glowing response that is absolutely stunning.
Accent lighting aimed at these special prints from the front will refract or 'bounce' within the acrylic, resulting in a unique effect that appears to illuminate the image from within so it appears 'backlit' like a computer or television screen. This fascinating effect is completely unique to acrylic face-mount prints and is the reason they look so bright and vibrant, full of rich detail and amazing depth.
Hand polishing the acrylic edges ensures that the edges will not craze or crack when cleaned. Every print comes with a preinstalled durable wire hanger, making it simple to display these limited edition pieces.
