1-800 Happy Birthday at THE GUARDHOUSE

A Public Exhibition Honoring Black and Brown Lives Killed by Police

Presented by WORTHLESSSTUDIOS
Created by Artist Mohammad Gorjestani and Even/Odd

Art Walk January 23, 6-8pm
On view January 19, 2026 - February 14, 2026

An installation that honors the lives of Black and Brown people lost to police violence by returning to what is most human: The act of celebration. Through voice, image, and shared ritual, the project creates space to speak names, tell stories, and mark birthdays that continue even after loss. 

This installation at The Guardhouse at Fort Mason Center hosted by FOR-SITE features an outdoor upcycled payphone that collects birthday voicemail deditcations for celebrants, as well as a birthday party installation inside The Guardhouse including portraits and short films created in partnership with families. The installation is free and open to the public, viewable through the windows 24 hours a day.

1-800 Happy Birthday is a multi-format project and living memorial that celebrates the heavenly birthdays of the Black and Brown lives killed by police violence, created by filmmaker and artist Mohammad Gorjestani in deep collaboration with their families. The project is produced by creative studio Even/Odd and the NYC arts non-profit WORTHLESSSTUDIOS in partnership with the social justice non-profit Campaign Zero. 

Donate to Family Causes

• Dujuan Armstrong

• Sandra Bland

• Philando castile

• Stephon Clark

• Fred Cox

• Eric Garner

• Oscar Grant

• Xzavier Hill

• Donovon Lynch

• Sean Monterrosa

• Tony Robinson

• Mario Woods