Life Before Death exhibition, 9 April-18 May 2008
9 April 2008
Nothing teaches us more about life than death itself
In preparing this exhibition, journalist Beate Lakotta and photographer Walter Schels spent a year in hospices for the terminally ill and asked 24 people if they could accompany them during their last weeks and days. From these compassionate and extremely personal vigils came a series of insightful descriptions and photographic portraits taken before and after death.
The testimonies are as wide ranging as human nature itself. Far from being consistently gloomy, the experiences, hopes and fears of the dying are often life-affirming, making us question what we often take for granted.
Exhibition dates: 9 April-18 May 2008
Venue:
Wellcome Collection, 183 Euston Road, London NW1 2BE. Admission free
Gallery opening times: Tues.-Wed., Fri.-Sat.: 10.00-18.00; Thurs.: 10.00-22.00; Sun.: 11.00-18.00. Closed Mon. (except bank holidays: 10.00-18.00).
Of the 24 people portrayed, the majority spent their last days in hospices around Germany - places designed to accommodate the dying, where they are able to experience the final phase of their life with as much awareness and freedom from pain as it is possible to achieve.
Only a short time remains to reflect on their lives, make peace with themselves and others, to face death and to pose questions about what comes next. Hardly any human would not hope for a few more days, for a dignified death, and for death not being the end of everything.
"It has often been observed that modern society has succeeded in making death all but invisible," explains Dr Ken Arnold, Head of Public Programmes at the Wellcome Trust. "However, as these remarkable photographic portraits reveal, contemplating the certainty of death can provide beautiful and moving insights into one of the most profound experiences that we all still face."
Beate Lakotta explains: "We all know that we are going to die one day, but it is very difficult to believe that it will really happen to us. Our motivation for this project was to overcome our own fear of facing up to death. The project goes some way to explore this."
The exhibition shows 48 metre-square black-and-white prints, accompanied by explanations and personal insights of those portrayed and describing the context of their palliative care. The insights reveal a wide range of responses to their situation: some anticipate their passing with quiet acceptance, others feel anger and frustration at friends and relatives' refusal to accept the reality of their impending departure.
Walter Schels, born in 1936, became known through his photographic character studies. Beate Lakotta, born in 1965, is a journalist for the science section of 'Der Spiegel', Germany's national newspaper. For their report 'To live once more before death', published in 2003 in 'Der Spiegel', they both received the Hansel-Mieth Prize for in-depth reports and the German Social Prize. 'The Portraits' by Schels received the runner-up prize at the World Press Photo 2004 competition, as well as a Lead Award 2004 and a gold medal of the Art Directors Club.
'Life Before Death' is the fourth 'special' exhibition at Wellcome Collection, a new public venue in central London that explores the relationship between medicine, life, art and history. Since opening its doors in June 2007, Wellcome Collection has attracted over 175 000 visits to the venue and over 6 000 people have attended talks and tours.
'Life Before Death' events and talks
Tickets are free but must be booked in advance.
For information and bookings visit the
Wellcome Collection website or call 020 7611 2222.
What Makes a Good Death?, Thursday 17 April, 19.00-20.30
Talking about dying isn't easy yet it's a familiar idea and an important moment in our lives. How can we prepare ourselves and our loved ones? Where should we look to for guidance and advice? Medicine? Religion? The past? Join our guests to explore how their fields can contribute to preparation for and understanding of dying.
Speakers:
Peter Harvey, Professor of Buddhist Studies, University of Sunderland
Iona Heath, GP and author of 'Matters of Life and Death'
Ruth Richardson, historian of medicine
Facilitator:
Joanna Moorhead, journalist
On Death, Thursday 24 April, 19.00-20.15; Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 April, 15.00-16.15
An inspiring sequence of testimonies from the dying, illuminated by the extraordinary experiences of psychologist and palliative care-worker Marie de Hennezel form the basis of this theatre essay. 'On Death' bears witness to the most profound of human experiences and asks what lessons the dying have to pass on to the living.
Written by Mick Gordon and Marie de Hennezel
Inspired by the book 'Intimate Death' by Marie de Hennezel
Directed by Mick Gordon and produced by On Theatre
The performance on Sunday 27 April will be BSL interpreted.
Walter Schels and Beate Lakotta in Conversation, Saturday 10 May, 15.00-16.30
Walter Schels and Beate Lakotta spent over a year talking to and photographing terminally ill patients. These experiences had a profound effect on them and their attitudes to death and its discourse. Join Walter, Beate and Sheila Payne of Lancaster University for an intimate exploration of this remarkable project.
Speakers:
Beate Lakotta, science editor, 'Der Spiegel' news magazine
Walter Schels, photographer
Facilitator:
Sheila Payne, Professor of Hospice Studies, Lancaster University
Media enquiries
Mike Findlay, Wellcome Trust Media Office
T +44 (0)20 7611 8612
E
m.findlay@wellcome.ac.uk
Notes to editors
Walter Schels, born in 1936 in Landshut, Bavaria, is a highly versatile artist. He started out as a window dresser (working in Geneva, Barcelona and Canada) before discovering a love of photography which took him to New York in 1966, where he became a professional photographer. He returned to Germany in 1970 and worked successfully for illustrated and fashion magazines, and in advertising. From 1975, Schels spent several years capturing the moment of birth in a series of photo reportages for the parents' magazine 'Eltern'. The process of photographing children only a few seconds old led him to develop a growing fascination with faces. Schels soon became known for his portraits of artists, politicians and other prominent figures in cultural and intellectual circles. For many years he has brought the same intensity to his portraits of animals.
Beate Lakotta was born in Kassel in 1965. She studied German literature and political science in Heidelberg. Since 1999 she has been on the editorial staff of the science section of 'Der Spiegel' magazine, contributing feature articles which cover diverse aspects of medicine and psychology.
The Wellcome Trust is the largest charity in the UK. It funds innovative biomedical research, in the UK and internationally, spending around £650 million each year to support the brightest scientists with the best ideas. The Wellcome Trust supports public debate about biomedical research and its impact on health and wellbeing.
The Wellcome Trust's former headquarters, the Wellcome Building on London's Euston Road, has been redesigned by Hopkins Architects to become a new £30 million public venue. Free to all, Wellcome Collection explores the connections between medicine, life and art in the past, present and future. The building comprises three galleries, a public events space, the Wellcome Library, a café, a bookshop, conference facilities and a members' club.