frederic dedelley: memento mori

memento mori is a group of functional and symbolic objects which are meant to celebrate transience and remembrance. in modern western culture, death is typically an occurrencewhich bears a negative connotation. our contact with the bodily remains of a dead personis typically guided by a technical, unemotional and hygienic approach. in older times, the process of dealing with death was completely different. a good example was during the baroque period, in which they literally celebrated death in an elaborate and artistic manner for the living.

‘memento mori’ collection

‘memento mori’ by swiss designer frédéric dedelley is a collection of objects influenced by vanitas paintings and reliquary artifacts from the baroque period. the series of objects include a vanitas mirror, urn, reliquary, altar shelf and glass soap bubbles.

‘glass soap bubbles’ hand-blown glass in grey, rose or blue color shade with wooden nutwood stand variable dimensions (10-15cm) limited edition of 33

the glass soap bubbles have been hand-blown in different sizes and colors and stand as a metaphor for fragility and the provisional character of our lives. exhibited within a small wooden (nutwood) socket, the glass bubbles are meant to remind us of the inevitability of death. each one is distinct in size.

‘glass soap bubble’

‘glass soap bubble’

‘urn’ – closed oiled nutwood with hand-blown glass jar 23 x 23 x 27 cm limited edition of 6

the most functional object of the series, the ‘urn’ consists of an oval-shaped hand-blown glass jar, protected by a beveled mantle of nutwood. the urn is not sealed making it accessible at all times. one can easily open the top and contents are fully visible. the materials and form of the urn break with the conventional typology of such an object. wood grain and workmanship makes each of the objects individual.

‘urn’ and glass jar

‘urn’ and glass jar

‘altar shelf’ – pictured with ‘glass soap bubbles’ and ‘vanitas mirror’ nutwood 46 x 18 x 2 cm

it represents the link between life and death. it is the bearer of the glass soap-bubbles and urn, along with individual memento mori presents and objects such as a flower or photograph.

‘vanitas mirror’ glass, oval shaped 9 x 13 x 0.5 cm edition of 100 each numbered and signed

a glance in the ‘vanitas mirror’ reminds the observer of his / her own mortality, as a drawing of an abstract skull on the mirror’s surface (illustrated by bastien aubry), overlaps with the reflection of the observer. mounted on the wall or placed on a table, it serves to heighten the awareness of how to go about our time more effectively. the mirror’s message: today could be the last day of your life; act wisely and enjoy the day to the fullest.

‘reliquary’ polished glass with ashes and bone fragmenets variable dimensions

the ‘reliquary’ is a group of organic glass pieces, containing ashes and bone fragments of a deceased person. the remains are not only conserved within, but also made visible. the reliquary consists of multiple parts and can therefore be shared by or divided amongst a group of persons. each reliquary is meant to be made to order with considerations given to personal requirements and wishes.

‘reliquary’

detail of ashes and bone fragments contained within

‘reliquary’ the collection is currently on show at the helmrinderknecht, berlin and will run until march 13th, 2010.