The concept of the Forever Room was inspired by filmmaker Brendan Hall’s feature-length documentary Out There: A National Parks Story. The film follows a 10,000 mile road trip through the U.S. national parks to share stories of the incredible people met along the way.
While making the film, Brendan discovered something unexpected – many of his own experiences in the parks closely mirrored those of his grandfather decades earlier.
This installation was curated by Brendan as an ode to human stories in our national parks, reminiscent of his grandfather’s living room.
It hopes to give renewed energy, appreciation, and inspiration to the stewards of our national parks whose memories and mission are reflected on its walls.
Working alongside set designer Mikhail Lynn and filmmaker Gabriella Canal, the small team took a hotel conference room and transformed it overnight into a space to explore and reflect.
Inside the room, personal photographs and stories from across the country were brought together – placed side by side, across time, across geography, across lives.
Visitors can:
Discover their own memories reflected on the walls
Share stories with others across the room
Place themselves on a map of the parks
Leave a message for the future
What begins as individual experience becomes something shared. A collective memory shaped by thousands of lives connected to the same places.
Early designs by set designer Mikhail Lynn
Walls being assembled and prepared for painting