Mark Ponder A Time to Celebrate

Mark Ponder explores an unsatisfactory use of celebration to cope with death in contemporary funeral rituals. Inspired by commemorations for the passed life and the afterlife, A Time to Celebrate strives to brighten our encounter with death at the expense of a serious contemplation for it. The sculptural installation will operate on the surface as an extravagant birthday party to heighten a tension between reverence and whimsy. Ponder’s use of cheap party decor and text highlights the absurdity of memorial services in a pastiche of happiness, insight, peace, humor, and, of course, dead bodies.