“Myths of Death” podcast
Historian Torri Yates-Orr and mythologist John Bucher of the Skeleton Keys podcast discuss the mythology of death, as well as Thanatos, Hel, Gede, the Grim Reaper, and the afterlife.
Month: April 2023
Omar’s Rubaiyat Contemplation Cards
My new art project, the Omar’s Rubaiyat Contemplation Cards deck, is now available. Oh, come with old Khayyám, and leave the Wise To talk; one thing is certain, that Life flies; One thing is certain, and the Rest is Lies; The Flower that once has blown for ever dies. ― Attributed to Omar Khayyam (1048-1131) … Read moreOmar’s Rubaiyat Contemplation Cards
“Work hard; increase production; prevent accidents, and be happy.”
Worker THX-1138 confesses to the prophet OMM in this scene from George Lucas’s 1971 dystopian science fiction movie THX-1138. The Amazen Kiosk, a very widely lampooned 2021 publicity stunt mental health initiative from Amazon.com, Inc.
A Social History of the Die-In
Writing for Active History, Daniel Ross offers a concise history of the die-in as a form of social protest: The fact is, by the mid-1970s the die-in was an established part of the repertoire of non-violent action used by social movements across North America and, to a lesser extent, in Europe. Local groups learned about … Read moreA Social History of the Die-In
“Death Differently”
Death Differently is cinematic education on innovations in death care featuring death doulas, hospice workers, alternative death advocates, music thanatologists, green burial funeral directors, and many others. The series’ goal is to highlight these individuals working in the emerging – but mostly unknown – death and dying space to challenge death myths that contribute to … Read more“Death Differently”
My Wind Phone: Let the Wind Take Your Words
Mywindpone.com offers resources for creating and locating wind telephones inspired by Itaru Sasaki’s original concept: I read about Itaru Sasaki and his Phone Booth of the Wind. I imagined sitting in his white phone booth surrounded by Itaru’s beautiful garden, holding the phone to my ear, dialing Emily’s number, and listening as the rotary dial … Read moreMy Wind Phone: Let the Wind Take Your Words
“Immortality” (Clare Harner, 1934)
Do not stand By my grave, and weep. I am not there, I do not sleep—I am the thousand winds that blowI am the diamond glints in snowI am the sunlight on ripened grain,I am the gentle, autumn rain.As you awake with morning’s hush,I am the swift, up-flinging rushOf quiet birds in circling flight,I am … Read more“Immortality” (Clare Harner, 1934)
Floralia 2023
Spring is sprung, the grass is riz, and I just spotted what may be the first Great Blue Heron of the season. The time has come again to crown the Duende with flowers … … and to begin a project I’ve been looking forward to. I’ve started participating in the new Atlas Obscura online course … Read moreFloralia 2023
Seven Stones Cemetery (Denver, Colorado)
Click here to learn all about Seven Stones, a Denver cemetery/botanical garden that will – hopefully – provide the aesthetic and conceptual model for future institutions. Here’s a presentation by Seven Stones co-founder Doug Flin –