Inspired by vanitas paintings and reliquary artifacts from the baroque period, Memento Mori is a group of functional and symblolic objects which celebrate transience and remembrance. 

 

In our modern western culture death is mostly an occurrence which bears a negative connotation. Death is seen as a defect or as a glitch. Our contact with the bodily remains of dead persons is guided by a technical, unemotional and hygienic approach. In older times dealing with death was completely different. A good example of the latter is the baroque performance practice of relics and Vanitas paintings – which literally celebrated death in an elaborate and artistic manner for the living.

 

GLASS SOAP BUBBLES, 2009

hand-blown glass with wooden stand (nutwood), grey, rose or blue colour shade, variable dimensions (ø 10-15 cm), limited edition of 33

 

The hand-blown glass soap bubbles in different sizes and colours are a metaphor for the fragility and the provisional character of our lives. Exhibited on a small precious wooden socket, in a precarious balance, the glass bubbles remind us on the inevitability of death. Each of the objects is distinct in size.

 

VANITAS MIRROR, 2009

glass, oval shaped, 9x13x0,5 cm, edition of 100, each numered and signed

 

A glance in the vanitas mirror reminds the observer on his/her own mortality, as a drawing of an abstract scull on the mirror’s surface (illustrator: Bastien Aubry) overlaps with the reflection of the observer. Mounted on the wall or placed on a table, the small mirror serves to heighten the awareness of going about more effectively with our own limited time. The mirror´s message: Today could be the last day of your life; act wisely and enjoy the day to the fullest.

 

URN, 2009

nutwood, oiled with hand-blown glass jar inside, 23x23x27 cm, limited edition of 6

 

The urn is the most functional object of the series. It consists of an oval-shaped handblown glass jar, which is protected by a bevelled mantle of nutwood. The urn is not sealed, when opening the top the content is fully visible and accessible at all times. The material and the form of the urn break with the conventions of the typology of such an object. Wood grain and workmanship makes each of the objects individual.

 

RELIQUARY, 2009

polished glass with ashes and bones fragments, variable dimensions

 

The reliquary is a group of organic glass pieces, which contain ashes and bone fragments of a deceased person. These remains are not only conserved in the reliquary, but also made visible. The reliquary consists of multiple parts and can therefore be shared by or divided up amongst a group of persons. It is a concept and each reliquiary will be made to order with due consideration given to personal requirements and wishes.

 

ALTAR SHELF, 2009

nutwood, 46x18x2 cm

 

The altar shelf made of nutwood represents the link between life and death. The shelf is the bearer of the glass soap-bubbles and the urn, and also for individual Memento Mori presents and objects (such as a flower, an image). 

All objects are exclusively available in limited editions at HELMRINDERKNECHT / www.helmrinderknecht.com

Copyright images Inga Knölke / www.imagekontainer.com