Seeing Death Clearly Rose Luardo’s Exploration of Life and Death Part 1
Rose Luardo is a vibrant, multifaceted artist living in South Philadelphia, where she engages in various odd jobs, art projects, and gigs. She's a person who's always been intrigued—and admittedly a bit obsessed—with the concept of death, a curiosity that began in her childhood, possibly sparked by watching The Exorcist too young. This fascination with the unknown led her to create a coffin for a 2017 exhibition at Practice Gallery, an object she couldn't part with and eventually placed in an empty lot near her home.
Her father, a Filipino psychiatrist, greatly influenced her. He was open to discussing anything, from his life in the Philippines to cultural observations, which Rose recorded during a dialysis cruise. These recordings formed part of an art piece that combined her father's stories with a playful, yet poignant, commercial for a fictional "used coffin service."
Rose's work explores the intersection of death and life, evident in her "rave coffin," made from plush materials that evoke a comforting, womb-like environment. This piece invited visitors to experience her father's stories from within the coffin, challenging the fear and discomfort often associated with death.
Rose reflects on society's discomfort with death, contrasting it with the past when death was a more intimate, communal experience. She draws parallels between sex and death, noting that while both are often taboo, people are more willing to engage in conversations about sex, even though death is an inevitable part of life.
In contemplating death, Rose has turned to plant medicines like ayahuasca, seeking to understand the death experience better. She suggests that these experiences, along with practices like meditation, could be ways to prepare for death, a notion supported by recent studies on the therapeutic use of psychedelics for end-of-life anxiety.
Rose believes that confronting our fears—whether through art, conversation, or personal exploration—strengthens us and provides a deeper understanding of life's impermanence. As she notes, our culture often tries to avoid discomfort, yet life is inherently uncomfortable. By engaging with the things that scare us, we build resilience and come to terms with the transient nature of existence.
In a world increasingly disconnected from the realities of death, Rose's work and reflections offer a valuable perspective on embracing the inevitable with curiosity, creativity, and a touch of humor.
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