01.12.2023

'Innig deelnemen aan...' - a tribute to the lonely deceased.

On Friday 8 december LUCA School of Arts C-mine Genk will host ‘Innig deelnemen aan…’ ('transl. 'Shared Condolences'), a remarkable tribute to the city of Genk's lonely deceased. The master students of the Photography and Productdesign courses designed objects and rituals for a lonely passing. This project will now be concluded with a farewell ceremony at the Genk Centrum cemetery. 

Care in Crisis 

‘Innig deelnemen aan…’ is a part of the optional course ‘Care in Crisis’ at LUCA campus C-mine Genk, which focuses on creating with a people-oriented and inclusive approach. Students were asked to imagine a fitting farewell for people who have passed away in loneliness.

When a loved one dies, the bereaved usually are supported in their grief by friends and family. But what happens when someone dies alone, and nobody is there to say their farewells? This was the question given to the young creators of LUCA C-mine Genk. They could express their answer in many forms: as an object, a ritual, an act, or a service. 

Farewell ceremony

On 8 december starting at 13h, all these creations will become part of a farewell ceremony at the farewell ceremony at the Genk Centrum cemetery, symbolically centered around the grave monument of a person who has recently passed away in loneliness.  The organisation 'Waardig Begraven' (transl. 'a dignified funeral') was a partner during the project's working process, and a number of their volunteers will be present at the ceremony. The heritage & culture organisation ECRU supported the project through their grant 'Troostkracht'.  

Everyone is invited to attend the ceremony. Afterwards, there will be the traditional coffee and cake served at meeting center De Crypte in Genk, and a talk by Dr. Karen Wuytens (UHasselt) and Britt Pellens (LUCA C-mine Genk) on the significance of objects before, during, and after a funeral.

Praktisch 

‘Innig deelnemen aan…’ takes place on 8 December. Everybody is welcome to join, but please register on beforehand by mail: innig.deelnemen.aan@gmail.com. 

Program: 

13h: We assemble at the entrance of Genk Centrum cemetery (Hoogstraat 128). 

13h-14h: Farewell ceremony at the cemetery. 

14h: We walk together to the meeting center De Crypte (Crypteplein 1A beneath Sint-Martinuskerk). 

14h15-14h45: Coffee and cake at De Crypte. 

15h-16h: Talks by Karen Wuytens and Britt Pellens (De Crypte). 

For more information on the project and this activity, please contact Britt Pellens (Research Cluster Caring. and Design, LUCA C-mine Genk): britt.pellens@luca-arts.be (Tel. +32 476 97 90 74)