Bloom again

Abstract

The essence of life is rooted in certain core elements, such as memories and significant milestones. While flame of life burns strong and bright, so often, a part of the cycle is often left out of the equation—death. Familiar to all, death is an inevitable presence that has been consistently associated with negative traits such as pain and grief. Some may find nothing in death, but there is far from the truth: there is something in death, and it is this force that will drive us forward in life. I choose to believe that a time of grieving doesn’t have to be seen as time lost to heal, but instead an avenue by which a few found appreciation for the present and past can blossom. Bloom Again is a personal project that shares the process of growing through grief, sparked by the passing of a relative who was in their early 30s: a stage of life where many consider their peak. I attempt to bring the viewer through this healing process by way of the ever popularised “five stages of grief”, as introduced by the 1969 book On Death and Dying by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross. In doing so, the project seeks to be a solace for others who are going through similar events and to remind them that they are not alone. Some may find nothing in death, but there is far from the truth: there is something in death, and it is this force that will drive us forward in life.