Transition

2019

In nature, when something dies it becomes fertile matter, facilitating new growth. In line with the exhibition theme, I invited participants to reflect on the transition that will inevitably occur at the end of their life in a spirit of positivity and creativity. The project blends Eastern and Western approaches to mortality, observing that while the Western world often views it as a taboo topic some faiths celebrate death as a joyful transition.

For this project I invited 108 people (a sacred number in many Eastern traditions) to record their thoughts about life, death, decomposition, and wishes for the next dimension. These observations, written on paper seeded with wild thyme (a medicinal herb used for embalming in ancient Egypt) are planted in wooden boxes where the seeds will germinate. After blooming, the thyme together with the thoughts, will be left to decompose, becoming part of nature’s life cycle.