To be sure, death is the end of life—and most people would prefer to leave it there. But numerous traditions advocate the introduction of death into everyday life as a catalyst for action and preparation for the inevitable. In the symbolic language of art, for example, skulls and hourglasses call out to the privy viewer memento mori—remember that you will die!
Paul Koudounaris has chosen death as a way of life. The photographer and scholar blends art history and ethnography in his research on the macabre in visual culture. Prior work treats themes such as the use of human remains as a decorative element in ossuaries, charnel houses and other body depositories.
Koudounaris’ newest book, Memento Mori: The Dead Among Us, compiles photographs taken at more than 250 sites around the world. The text documents the varied ways cultures treat human remains, generally to serve the dual function of ensuring the dearly departed a successful hereafter and steeling the living to follow in their footsteps. Koudounaris will be at the Walker’s Point Center for the Arts on Friday, May 1, at 6 p.m. to discuss his new book by way of a presentation of his photographs.
“Guns and Money”
Independent Space
228 N. First St. (first floor)
“Guns and Money” is a timely event if there ever was one. Given what feels like a recent spike in violence across the city, an exhibition highlighting economic disparity and violence in Milwaukee is an important occasion for reflection. Themes include a botched 2012 sting by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms in Riverwest and the 2014 killing of Dontre Hamilton in Red Arrow Park. For the third installment of CultureJam MKE more than 30 local artists have contributed works. The one-night-only exhibition takes place from 7 p.m. through midnight on Saturday, May 2.
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“Madison: A Cooperative Almanac”
Madison Museum of Contemporary Art
227 State St.
There are good grounds for city-centric pride in Milwaukeeans and Madisonians. Madison is the state capital. Milwaukee trumps population-wise. Whether you’re an allegiance-free Wisconsinite or a Milwaukeean looking to reconnoiter the enemy, “Madison: A Cooperative Almanac” will be of interest. New York-based artists Eric and Heather ChanSchatz have been in Madison since the summer of 2014 to study the city’s identity. Countless questionnaires completed by residents provide the internationally known artists with grist for the creative mill, which takes final form as an abstract painting. The work will be on display with the artists’ previous work May 1-17.
