 A contemporary artist wants to memorialize the victims of the Sichuan earthquake through a "flower of life" sculpture created out of their cremated remains. If the artist is allowed to proceed, his "creation" would then be contributed to the National History Museum or the May 12 Earthquake Museum. People have expressed different views on his idea.
Let's follow the media to take a closer look.
The Xinkuaibao newspaper printed a commentary that supports the artist's wish by pointing out that the sculpture is an innovative approach to remembering the disaster victims. Compared with burying the dead in a grave and sacrificing to them once a year, it would be better to have a piece of art in one's home made from the loved one's ashes. Family members could pay homage at any time.
The commentary continues by saying that cremated remains buried underground are an awe inspiring taboo of death, but this could be transformed into life through artwork, which symbolizes beauty and hope. It's a more meaningful way to be with the dead. Moreover, it would be a more civilized and environmentally-friendly way to store a loved one's ashes.
A Qi Lu Evening News commentary disagrees, saying that the "artwork" lacks humanity and emotion. Peace under the earth is what the dead victims need. As for the living, we learn how to be strong in the face of difficulty and we store this strength deep in our heart. We don't have to be reminded of our lost loved ones through a "flower of life" sculpture created out of their ashes.
|
