‘Marking Loss’ …. In these times we need to find new ways to remember.
As part of their work for Atlas Pandemica, Robbie and Jo produced ‘Marking Loss’, a book that responded to the limitations that the Covid-19 restrictions placed on the ways in which people can gather together to mark a loved ones passing.
There are 40 ideas to be used, modified or as inspiration for marking loss during the restrictions imposed by Covid. Now restrictions have been lifted, the ideas can be used with larger groups of family and friends.
The ‘Marking Loss’ booklets went to all Funeral Directors around Dumfries and Galloway to be offered free to bereaved relatives. Palliative Care Scotland added them to their website as a downloadable resource here
The book can be downloaded as PDF below.
Please also see this article by Professor David Clarke, founder of the End of Life Studies Group at Glasgow University: https://davidgrahamclark.net/2021/05/28/responding-to-loss-in-the-time-of-covid-the-shoreline-to-shoreline-project/
Cafe at the End of the World
On 22nd March 2022 Robbie and Jo hosted an event with interdisciplinary researcher Joe Wood for tea and cakes and a discussion about how we might respond to the end of things.
20 people from a wide range of interests came together to discuss how Covid has changed our view of how we live and if we can use what we have learnt about grief and loss to explore and respond to the climate emergency and the fragility of the systems we live within. When we are faced with widespread species extinction, extreme weather events and loss of habitats and homes, are there new ways of thinking that might give us a more meaningful basis for our actions? We looked at whether the holistic outlook of the hospice movement and ideas like ‘total pain’ and a ‘palliative present’ could be used to frame wider environmental challenges in our terminally ill ecosystems and provide a framework to respond to anthropocentrism, hyper-individualism, relentless economic growth and the cult of technology.
This was one of a series of events to launch the Limited Edition Atlases created by Atlas Pandemica. https://thestove.org/atlas-pandemica/maps/
Above : Limited edition set of Alas Pandemica maps
Above. Exhibition of Atlas Pandemica maps at The Stove, Dumfries. March 2022
Atlas Pandemica
Marking Loss‘ and ‘Shoreline to Shoreline ‘ are Robbie and Jo’s work for Atlas Pandemica.
Atlas Pandemica consists of 10 creatively led investigations, each exploring a theme highlighted by life during the Covid pandemic in Dumfries and Galloway. Each investigation is designed to encourage innovative approaches in charting the changes brought about by Covid, and to navigate the way forward into a more hopeful and shared future. (June 2020 – April 2021) As part of Atlas Pandemica, Robbie and Jo were commissioned to research and respond to the impact of COVID on dying and grieving (Please also see Shoreline to Shoreline, an event created by Robbie and Jo as a way of marking loss). Robbie and Matt Baker from The Stove Network are Co-Curating Atlas Pandemica which is focussing on Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland.
Robbie presented at ‘Caring, Creativity and Connectedness during COVID-19’ an Arts Health Scotland online event on 17th November. Blog here https://vhscotland.org.uk/robbies-blog-atlas-pandemica-maps-to-a-kinder-world/
The Atlas Pandemica artists:
Joanne McKay focused on the history of pandemics in Dumfries
Annie Wild looked into the giving and receiving of care
Karen Campbell did a residency with Dumfries & Galloway Council
Emma Jayne Park explored local decision making;
Mark Zygadlo looked at the river Nith and it’s communities
Peter Smiths work explored the rituals of repair
T.S. Beall documented the unheard voices in Dumfries
Jenna Macrory shared conversations about difference
The Homegrown Team focused on bringing the digital into public space.
Robbie Coleman and Jo Hodges focused on grief and loss.
Categories: 2020, 2021, Collaboration, Community Engagement, Interactive, Participatory, Site Specific, Strategy
Coleman & Hodges 