Cultural Mediation
In the contemporary context of denial of death and of the disappearance of communal funeral rituals, this workshop in cultural outreach aims to open up this subject to an anthropological meditation and to a creative exploration with the help of clay.
The workshop encourages us to reflect on our tacit attitudes toward death, and engage in conversation and contemplative listening, by allowing our hands to speak through the clay. This process can foster connections in our beliefs around life, death and creative expression. No artistic experience is required! Some might be inspired by examples of funeral vessels shown during the presentation. Others might be moved to want to express some loving remembrance evoked by the conversation. Still others might simply want to let the hands lead where they will.
Workshops with groups, animated by Holly, are held on weekends, 10 am - 4 pm. Saturday, and 1pm - 4pm Sunday.
If you know a group that would enjoy participating in this workshop, please contact me.
Comments by past participants…
Je voulais vous dire que j’ai aimé l’atelier…. Merci de votre enseignement. Et je dois vous dire que j’ai beaucoup aimé et surtout [étais] surprise de la pièce que j’avais modelée. Le glaçage et la cuisson donnent un effet étonnant. Merci. Ça ouvre des horizons.
Marie, Musée du Haut-Richelieu, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC
The discussions which started out in safe areas such as funeral practices and funeral vessels around the world, gradually led us to more personal reflection and stories about our own death and wishes. Perfect! The variety of people (cemetery director to bishop to creative potters to curious cats ...like me!) had us all savouring fascinating tidbits of lived experiences, thoughts, points of view. Delightful! The hands-on parts in the afternoon were a nice addition for continued reflection and discussions, as well as an intro to pottery techniques.
Donna, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Québec
Merci encore pour cette belle fin de semaine. C’était une réussite total qui ma donné des ailes et le goût de recommencer à créer à nouveau avec l’argile. J’ai beaucoup aimée mon expérience en petit groupe dans un endroit historique si paisible qui nous remplie de sérénité. Merci encore pour nous avoir donnée une occasion unique de participer à une conférence très inspirante sur un sujet presque taboo et en retirer des bien-faits surprenants. Comme une vraie réconciliation avec la mort. Ton atelier était aussi une activité très thérapeutique pour moi finalement!
Lorraine, Cathédrale de la Sainte-Trinité, Québec
Thank-you so much for the inspiring workshop on “Befriending our Mortality”. I enjoyed the workshop as it encouraged us to face reality and make a plan of what we want to happen when we die. This is an important stage of our life and must be addressed. The second part working with clay allowed us to express our emotions with our hands and create a piece of pottery. I found you did an excellent job and I appreciated the whole event.
Brian, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Québec
Photographs © Holly Ratcliffe