Getting rid of Cranbrook

Before and After Haircut

I’ve been growing my hair out for the two years I’ve been at Cranbrook, and with the completion of my graduate show project, I was finally able to cut it all off. You have no idea how good it truly feels.

34 Responses to “Getting rid of Cranbrook”

34 Comments

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On April 23rd, 2007 at 01:09, Bradford said:

You look better bald.
On April 23rd, 2007 at 16:07, Michelle said:

Did everyone help you pull out each individual hair? New do, new you.
On April 23rd, 2007 at 19:14, JK said:

I pulled out about 1/3 of the “beard” hair and started getting annoyed at the amount of time it was taking and that I couldn’t grab a lot of the smaller hairs with my fingers. When I began to bleed from pulling out moustache hairs, I decided that Cranbrook wasn’t worth bleeding for and shaved the rest.

But I definitely do feel like a new me.
On April 23rd, 2007 at 21:40, natxo said:

have you got photos about yor haircut process?
You look great
On April 24th, 2007 at 01:25, JK said:

Why, yes! I do have photos of the haircut process!

And here they are:
On April 24th, 2007 at 10:57, Peter said:

That looks so much better, I was wondering how much longer you were going to go with that I contacted you a while ago as I attempted doing the same thing myself (growing my hair out, with a twist) and it’s only been a month and I’m already getting a little complacent! My child’s daily project is still going but it feels like it’s only scratching the surface. I’m really inspired by your continued commitment, and really love your work. Love your suit too by the way, and the shaving gown thing is also very shiny.
On April 25th, 2007 at 18:48, Jon O-T said:

You said you was “able” to cut it off, i don’t quite understand what you grew it for if it was getting annoying for you. I think it is better this way for your long term project now we can all focus on your facial ageing rather than being disracted by your hair growth.
On April 27th, 2007 at 14:19, dalas said:

Pretty amazing difference.
On April 28th, 2007 at 18:54, Rich said:

Wow, totally took me by surprise. You’re lucky to be one of the very few people in the world that can pull off any style they’d like. Congratulations!

Looking forward to more pictures. Your project is a continued inspiration for me..as I’m sure you’ve heard plenty of times by many people.

P.S. Congratulations on graduating. What did you major in?
On April 29th, 2007 at 00:39, fatima said:

hi, i´m a great mexican fan of your work. it’s amazing.
you look great!
On April 30th, 2007 at 15:49, JK said:

#7@Jon O-T: Have you never set a goal nor obstruction for yourself in order to actively and consciously participate in the reconstruction of everyday life?* I grew my hair out as a physical manifestation of the time I spent at grad school. Having finished the important aspects of my time here, I was relinquished from the obstruction I had set for myself.

I have always said to myself that I would not change the way I look specifically for the benefit of the daily photo project. If I decide to grow a beard, that is what is documented. And conversely, I will never intentionally grow beard just to see it happen for the photo project. It’s an issue of authenticity for me.

#9@Rich: I will receive my Masters of Fine Arts from the 2d Design department at Cranbrook.

* mostly stolen from a description of the Situationist movement.
On May 1st, 2007 at 10:14, christina said:

congratulations
On May 2nd, 2007 at 11:54, Jon O-T said:

That makes a lot of sence, I guess I didn’t look at it that way…well thanks for clearing that up!
On May 9th, 2007 at 00:21, Maureen said:

It’s always amazing to me to see how drastically hair can change the way someone looks. Going through your daily photo updates is always a humorous adventure. I’ve been thinking of you as The Frenchman ever since your mustache gained a good amount of independence.

Many congrats for your accomplishments at Cranbrook!!! As always, we look forward to the next Keller creation.
On May 21st, 2007 at 00:25, Ailin said:

i’m from argentinaw, and i been folowing your project for three years, al i can say about it is a big WOWWWW!!!!! is amazing the way you hace been dedicating your time to this project, now i think all your live is about the photo project… I was wondering when you where going to cut your hair… now i have an answer to my questions lol..
sory if my english is bad.. i been a while without writing in english..
how much longer you plan to continue the project? i’ll be visintg you side soon..
ailin Neuquen, Argentina
On May 25th, 2007 at 22:33, Paulette said:

u look like u used to. but now i have to get used to the new u!
ughhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

jo jo (jocelyn keller) (:
On May 25th, 2007 at 22:41, Paulette said:

Hi Jon! It’s me, Kitty (Kathryn)! I saw the new you! After you got you’re haircut you looked so serious! I love you! I too have to get used to the new you. Ugh!

Love,
Kathryn
On June 10th, 2007 at 19:02, JF said:

I was just thinking : it’s getting a bit out of control… the funny thing is you don’t change that much, in my opinion, with or without hair… it’s still very you.
Congrats.
On June 15th, 2007 at 23:28, Brent Fraliex said:

You should have donated your hair to Locks of Love. I recently cut my hair that I grew for almost 3 years for this purpose, around 14 inches worth. I have some before and after photos in my blog and site at myspace.com/ibigplayer
On August 19th, 2007 at 13:33, JK said:

#15@Ailin: I plan to continue the Daily Photo Project until I die. Hopefully that will be later than sooner…

#19@Brent: I would have donated it to Locks of Love, but I just at the minimum 10 inches, and my hair was very unhealthy and was probably mostly unusable.
On August 31st, 2007 at 04:47, bina said:

Can i ask is there ever a day when you forget to take a picture of yourself or something happens so you can’t?? or have you actually managed to take one everyday?…(bet people ask this all the time)
On September 20th, 2007 at 09:17, Huw Cymro said:

Fascinating project, well done! It’s amazing to see someone grow up before your eyes. Unfortunately for me, at 35 I’m too old to do such a thing as it would be a record of deterioration, and it would break my heart to see how things get from bad to worse.
On September 23rd, 2007 at 19:09, JK said:

bina: Indeed, I take one every day.

Huw Cymro: Thanks, but you do realize that my project will too become a “record of deterioration”, though it has yet to be see whether or not it will “break my heart to see how things get from bad to worse”.
On November 1st, 2007 at 00:44, lina said:

Dear J K

Currently I’m coordinating a collective exhibition about self-portraits titled “IDENTITY INTROSPECTION” and I would like to know if you could be interested in take part in it. Every artist will have an own space to exhibit his own work of art about the idea of the representation of the self. In principle, this exhibition will be done in Barcelona. About approximate dates - It depends on art centers approval (approx- 2010).

If you are interested- let me know, please: first I’ve to present the project whith the possible artist list to art centers.

Best regards
Lina Gorbaneva
On December 6th, 2007 at 19:22, mienna1 said:

Aha… I discovered your photo project almost a year ago on youtube and have periodically looked at your website. Was wondering why the moustache and long hair where enjoying such a long run Just discovered this part of your website tho, so never really got to satisfy my curiosity. (wasn’t going to email you to ask such a stupid question :D) Grats on your graduation.
On January 6th, 2008 at 06:44, Laurie said:

Hi Jon,
I just found out about your project via a NY Times article. As I commented there…I call myself a people watcher. This is like instant gratification!! LMAO!!

I mentioned there that I loved the long hair and beard, but now that I know what that symbolizes, I relish with you in your freedom from the burden.

Again, thank you for doing this project…it’s very inspiring in so many way!!! HERE’S TO A LONG LONG PROJECT!!!
On January 6th, 2008 at 18:56, Cida Medeiros said:

Hi,

I am from Brazil, São Paulo. I found out your project today after seen Noah’s project and Zoom in your Life etc. in a journalist blog that was talking about web desing. I liked a lot of course and added a commentary at this journalist blog which address follows http://www.projetobr.com.br/blog/5.html

I hope you to continue this up to 2050 or more…
Congrats.
Cida
On February 3rd, 2008 at 07:30, Marlo said:

i like hair
On February 26th, 2008 at 17:49, Eero said:

Oh that was all very perfect. I love the setup in these photos: white wall and that passport -picture like angle. Greatness^2.
On March 13th, 2008 at 23:27, Jess said:

insert sarcastic, cunning, witty, attention grabbing comment here
On April 27th, 2008 at 23:24, Mary Anne said:

I stumbled upon your stuff when I was looking at Cranbrook photos. I really like, well, a lot of things including your suit. What are you working on now?
On April 28th, 2008 at 02:27, JK said:

Mary Anne: Well, the big things right now are an updated website design and finding a new job. There are a couple other projects that I should be finishing up in the near future. One type thing I’m pretty excited about is nearing a good state.
On April 28th, 2008 at 22:32, Mary Anne said:

Well best of luck to you if you are searching for a job in the ‘metro-d’ area. Nearing a good state is always a reassuring feeling.
On May 12th, 2008 at 14:42, Kakkamies said:

No! You were so handsome with all that hair…