Dying.series Through the Years
Since its inception in 2019, the Dying.series has served as a dynamic platform for provoking reflection on an uncomfortable topic of death to ultimately foster a deeper appreciation for the fragility and beauty of life itself. through the lens of design and art, running during the DesignTO Festival. Below is a chronological reflection of each edition, highlighting the events, exhibitions, and discussions that have defined the series, fostering impactful connections and deepening the conversation around mortality.
Dying. 2019The inaugural Dying.series took place from January 14 to February 2
at Ontario College of Art & Design University (OCADU) and Artscape Youngplace in Toronto. The festival featured six major events: Death and Dying Discussions (11 speakers and 1 keynote), Until the Last Breath (an exhibit with 9 artists), Time Moving, Before I Die…, Ghost Stories, Constellations, and DIYing Free. |
Dying. 2020The series returned from January 17 to 26 at Artscape Youngplace, Toronto, with an expanded lineup of nine events: Dying.exhibit (featuring 15 artists), Dying.ruins, Dying.dialogues, Dying.threads, Dying.poetry, Dying.storytime, Dying.afterlife, Dying.oral traditions, and Dying.planning.
|
Dying. 2021Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival transitioned to an online format, held from January 29 to 30. The focus was on Dying.dialogues, which featured 20 speakers engaging in thought-provoking discussions.
|
Dying. 2023The 2023 edition took place from January 14 to February 2, with Dying.exhibit (featuring 16 artists) held at Artscape Youngplace and Dying.dialogues (31 speakers) and Dying.films (8 short films) presented in a hybrid format at OCADU and online.
|
Dying. 2024The 2024 edition, from January 17 to 26, marked another milestone with the largest Dying.exhibit to date at OCADU, showcasing 24 artists. Additionally, Dying.workshop was introduced, with 13 participants exploring creative processes and discussions surrounding death and dying.
|
Dying. 2025Looking ahead, the upcoming Dying.MultipleEndings will take place from January 24 to February 3 at Artscape Youngplace. This edition will showcase works by 14 artists and designers, continuing the festival’s tradition of reflection, innovation, and exploring the complexities of mortality.
|