‘Dying.threads’ is a participatory installation inviting the public to reflect on death and dying using natural materials, thread, and seeds. The installation asks participants to consider three choices for their end of life. ‘Dying.threads’ will generate a web of responses that investigate the varied inter-connected values, perspectives and experiences surrounding death and dying.

Our aim is to invite reflection on the connectivity of our experiences and provide an output for communicating thoughts, feelings and reflections on end of life. ‘Dying.threads’ is influenced by Yoko Ono’s ‘Wish Tree’, reimagined to explore directed questions about hopes for end of life. Sustainability has been considered in the sourcing and afterlife of the materials of the installation in collaboration with a community garden project and a children’s art program.

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In 2019, the ‘Dying.’ series attracted over 3000 attendees, 14 speakers, including keynote Ivor Williams (Helix Centre, UK), and 12 exhibiting artists and designers over the course of the DesignTO festival. In its second year, ‘Dying.’ will continue to offer the public the opportunity to creatively engage in conversation about death and dying through the lens of art and design.

During DesignTO there will be several events under the ‘Dying.’ series with an opportunity to visit exhibits across Toronto. ‘Dying.’ is a collaboration between the Health Design Studio at OCAD U and Taboo Health.

• Dying.dialogues
• Dying.exhibits
• Dying.ruins
• Dying.threads