-
Close Contact: Luke Jerram and the Art of Deadly Viruses
Luke Jerram makes sculptures of potentially deadly AIDS and Malaria viruses – and his work has resonated with viewers more than he ever anticipatedArt, death, microbes, and “the edges of perception” were the dominating topics of artist Luke Jerram’s interview with Scientific American. The UK artist spoke with the online journal about his decision to make glass sculptures of potentially deadly viruses like H1N1, AIDS, Malaria, and others. “I’m interested in how we see the world,” he explained, “[and]…
/
-
How to enhance your life by embracing death? (Interview)
Lily Myers Kaplan shares her new book, her insights, and her experiences surrounding death and life.Today, SevenPonds speaks with Lily Myers Kaplan founder and director of SoulWorks and the Spirit of Resh, two organizations that offer counseling, retreats, and support for any difficulty in life. Her mission is to teach how to enhance your life by embracing death. Lily holds a Masters degree in Culture and Spirituality, is trained in dreamwork, bodywork, gestalt therapy,…
/
-
“One True Thing”
This movie came just in time for Mother’s Day 2014: A daughter helps her mother fight cancer in the Carl Franklin filmAs Mother’s Day 2014 approaches, we’re considering what we love and respect about the woman who has consistently given us so much. Yet, for some, Mother’s Day doesn’t present an opportunity for easy admiration and rosy memories; for some, Mother’s Day feels like the annual reminder of an absence, illness, or even death. That’s why…
/
-
The Catacombs of Paris: Unique Burial Site of Ancient France
The history behind the creation of one of the world’s most famous burial sitesPrior to a 1785 ban on future burials within the center of Paris, an abundance of church cemeteries existed throughout the city. A combination of greed and neglect in performing proper burials led to human remains being placed in church walls rather than in underground burial sites. This, in turn, produced a putrid smell as…
/
-
Facing the End of Life with Courage: Photographs from “A Good Death”
Joshua Bright’s photography documents John R. Hawkins’s peaceful, exemplary deathWhat is a good death, and why don’t we hear about more of them? For many, to die well means to die comfortably, often at home, surrounded by family and friends. According to a recent article from CBS, 70% of Americans would rather die at home, but only 1 in 4 actually do. As I…
/
-
“In the Aeroplane Over the Sea”
A song on how death inspires beauty and a life well livedIn my post on Wallace Stevens’s poem “Sunday Morning”, I explored how death fuels the imagination and drives us to live for the world. Mortality underpins the phrase Carpe Diem. Liz Matsushita touches on this briefly in her review of Neutral Milk Hotel’s album. She notes that the folksy indie band captures a similar emotional response…
/
-
“Sunday Morning”
Wallace Stevens’s famous declaration from “Sunday Morning” reconsiders death as vital to a full lifeIn a recent interview with SevenPonds, Terri Daniel encourages us to imagine death as catalyst for new growth, new perspective, new knowledge, or whatever an individual accepts as a gift buried in a loss. Mortality does not have to dampen our zest for life. Rather, it inspires us to live fully: we cannot learn to…
/
-
Monday Hearts for Madalene
Page Hodel creates the most beautiful hearts in an ongoing celebration of loveIt’s an honor for SevenPonds to share with our readers the story of the Monday Hearts for Madalene project, a true account of the power of love in the midst of death. The project’s origins take us to 2005: the moment Page Hodel encountered Madalene Rodriguez and fell “instantly, dizzyingly in love with her.” The couple’s first meeting was…
/
Want an Easier Way to Plan a Memorial Event? Get our FREE guide
“7 Ways to Create an Amazing Celebration of Life”
