TIME FOR MOURNING / TIME FOR MOURNING / TIME FOR MOURNING /

In my graduation project, I explored the concept of taking time for grieving. I claimed my space of mourning by dedicating my graduation project to this theme.  Visualizing my own grieving process of my grandma who just passed away before starting to graduate I combined this personal touch with a lot of research on the visual identity on death. Doing research in grief in our society, coping with death in different cultures and the symbols we use for death, life and grief. I transformed this proces of researching and feeling into a publication that covers my journey through my own personal grieving proces combining this with known symbols and connections.

In this publication, I trace my grandmother's memories through old photo albums and my own path of mourning and reminiscence by collecting cherished items, spaces, comforting texts, music, and everything that came along in this mourning process. Infused with thoughtful symbolism and elements, I visually translated this into a publication that can be opened and viewed in multiple ways. I did this with the laparello binding where you can open, close or hang the book as an pendulum. Serving as representations of the diverse ways one can grieve, acknowledging that everyone's journey is unique but also overlap as you can grief your own grief by browsing through mine. Also, it serves as a reminder that there should be time and space for grieving in contemporary times. The paper is chosen by feeling but also have a meaning by making a bridge between my side of the story and my grandmas. The chalk papers are see through which make connections through memories and stories. Because it is such a precious publication, I did al the sewing and folding by hand,  and made only 2 pieces. At the end the best outcome of the publication is that I made time to grief by creating.