“It is a simple provocation. I talk about how our bodies are like vessels and that we constantly empty and fill them,” said Dr Bell. “I discuss a show I saw in London called Roman Dead that examines ancient burial rituals which included burying the body with tiny vessels that have oils and food for the afterlife. These vessels are identical to my crematorium vessels in the Craftivism Show. I ask the participants to reflect on their final resting place, where they wish their remains to be buried, or cremated remains to be scattered. I provide a zip locked freezer bag for the participants to collect the dust that accumulates from making their vessels.”
E ssence
60 | PENINSULA
July 2019
As part of Dr Bell’s project, the vessels left behind become part of an ongoing archive which represents the diverse communities. “I will collaborate on this project until I die,” said Dr Bell of her ongoing work which aims to promote healthy and meaningful discussion about death and dying. Facing Death Creatively, Thursday July 18 at Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery. www.mprg.mornpen.vic.gov.au