Maybe there’s more, but there’s not much more to us than this.

These words come from a prose poem titled Things, written in 1999. Over the years, this phrase has taken many forms. As a 12-page book, each word appears on its own page, guiding the reader toward a single moment of reflection. In a mixed media series of silk-screens and canvases, each word is paired with unexpected imagery, creating new meaning through contrast and association.

In its current form, The Book of Maybe(s) (Chicago, 6.1.26–12.29.26) is a text-driven collaborative project. The public is invited to reflect on the phrase and share what “this” means in their own lives. These contributions are gathered both through the website and in person across neighborhoods throughout Chicago.

From Wicker Park to Logan Square, from Bronzeville to Hyde Park, from Austin to Little Village, and across many other communities, the project seeks moments of meaning, memory, humor, and reflection.

The purpose of The Book of Maybe(s) is to encourage communication and explore personal interpretations of “this” — moments that define us. Contributors will be credited as co-authors, similar to contributors in a collection of short stories.

Rather than dividing the work into rigid categories, each entry is simply marked by date, place, and participant. This approach preserves individuality while forming a unified collective work.

When complete, the project will be published.

Baltazar Castillo
Chicago, Wicker Park, IL
March 26, 2026