Death and Textiles

Textiles are an intrinsic part of human life at every stage, from the first gasps of breath to the last. They are how we connect with those we’ve lost, explore our own mortality, signal our mourning status to the world, and conquer fears of the unknown veil between the world of the living and the dead — as we parse out exactly which world we belong to. In this trauma-informed art history class taught by Zoe and Kristen, we will explore the history of death and textiles, from mummification in ancient Egypt to burial shrouds in Islamic traditions, colonial control of mourning garments and European mourning fashion, to silkworms and silk in Asia as well as patchwork quilts buried with the dead in South Asia. We’ll also have snacks, tea, and journal questions for processing. Feel free to leave class early, take breaks, or come when you're ready. As an activity, participants will have fabric, wood, and recycled cardboard with which to design their own “memento mori” boxes. The term memento mori is Latin for “remember you must die” and it is a reminder of human frailty, the inevitable life cycle, and the importance of living in the moment. These boxes can be used for keeping memories of those you’ve lost or  the most important moments of your life, as well as hopes you have for the future. There is no pressure to finish, as you can take the materials home and work on it there. About Your Instructor: Zoe is a teaching artist and curator engaging with Caribbean folklore stories. Her video artwork often takes an interest in the transformation of objects over time; whether reflected in the decay of family VHS tapes or the erosion of slave ship wreckage. Butler’s research practice responds to the materiality of archival artifacts. Her work aspires to embrace the abstraction and abundance of counter-histories and to encourage people to see themselves beyond the representational. Zoe is a Diaspora Solidarity Lab Fellow, where she co-curated the current exhibition, Laas Absan Peldía: Caribbean Cinema Cultures at the MSU Broad Museum. She is a Fulbright U.S. Student Alumni affiliated with the University of the West Indies Department of Creative and Festival Arts. About Your Instructor: Originally from Montego Bay, Jamaica, Kristen Lee (she/they) is a storyteller based in Chicago. Though she takes an interdisciplinary approach to her work, she is most comfortable working with comics, olfactory art, experimental print and writing. Her work mainly focuses on the human experience and often arises in the form of a semi-autobiography. Kristen primarily uses comics to create these stories, and has a few self-published works alongside a graphic novel currently in progress. In their spare time, Kristen really enjoys learning and experimenting with cooking and fermentation. Kristen also holds an MFA and BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Kristen is also a Gemini and she’s not a fan of mosquitoes.