KOLYVA, 2018
A4 80 gr/m² laser-cut and engraved papers
Dimensions variable

Kolyva is a traditional Greek dish that is commonly served during funerals and memorial services. It is made from boiled wheat, and the ingredients used to make the dish are symbolic and often connected to the deceased person. In the book “KOLYVA”, the ingredients of the dish are depicted on paper cutouts.

On January 8th, 2018, a workshop was held at the Weissensee Kunsthochschule Berlin as part of the course “Thinking Meals”. The participants were treated to the dish and were invited to alter the cutouts with their hands, a way to facilitate a discussion about death and its various cultural and personal meanings. Through this interactive experience, the participants explored the dish’s symbolic ingredients, and the way they relate to death. The workshop aimed to spark a reflection on the act of mourning, and the importance of remembering and honoring the deceased in different cultures and traditions.