More memento mori

Memento mori is a Latin phrase meaning "Be mindful of death" and may be translated as "Remember that you are mortal," "Remember you will die," "Remember that you must die," or "Remember your death".

Memento mori objects and artwork are often used not only to remind the owner/viewer of their own mortality, but often to remember people that have passed away.















Hairwork Bracelet
clasp - 1”w x 1.25” l; bracelet - 7.5” l x .5” w
c.1840-60

"Hair jewelry functioned as a keepsake of the dead and as a memento mori, a reminder that death was an ever-present possibility; the wearer was constantly reminded that she should lead a good life because death could strike without warning. Often a wearer would add more hair pieces to a glass-covered brooch when additional relatives or friends passed away. Hair jewelry was not always worn to commemorate the dead; lovers also wore pieces made from the couple’s hair."

from History of Hair Jewelry in Victorian America, curated by Amy Karoly





Polly Morgan
To Each Seed His Own Body
2006
mixed media - taxidermy bird, bell jar, miniature chandelier, book

Found in Modern Painters magazine, April 2009 issue
http://www.pollymorgan.co.uk/


Some questions and prompts centered around death/memory/time:

Design a reliquary to honor a special person, pet, or thing that you have lost. How will you design this piece of artwork? Will it be a momentous sculpture for all to see? Or will it be a small reminder that you can carry with you and keep private?

How do/did different people/cultures through time use their art to deal with death? For example, the Ancient Egyptians mummified their dead and built exquisite sarcophagi and shrines. The Mimbres people would place a decorative bowl over the face of the deceased that had a hole in the middle through which the person’s soul would travel in the afterlife. Research different traditions and then create your own “tradition” or ritual to honor the dead.

Create a piece of artwork that seems to set time still.