Voice & Presence
Dialogues on Art, Death & Society
A place for interviews, articles and thoughts that emerged in dialogue.
In eternity – the specialist magazine for the funeral world in the German-speaking realm –Renée Magaña offers insight into her art that moves between this world and the next.
Through urns, images, and objects, she speaks of glimmers in the darkness, of rituals that comfort, and memories that remain.
Her work touches the grieving and funeral professionals alike – and opens a quiet, colourful welcome at the edge of the world. Read the full article hier.
We talk about Death. Podcast by Elena Ibello.
In October, Elena Ibello spoke with me about art, death, and loss.
As the daughter of a Mexican father and a Swiss mother, I grew up in Los Angeles. From an early age, I felt close to the way death was approached in my family and in Mexican culture.
A few years ago, my husband Martin died. After 24 years together, I accompanied him through his final 14 months – from the diagnosis to his last breath.
I often ask myself why it is so difficult for us to speak about dying, death, and impermanence – or even to think about it. And yet, I believe there’s something profoundly unifying in this topic: it is the one thing that truly connects every human being on this planet.
That’s why I continue to engage with death – and hope to encourage others, through my art, to look closer, to feel, and to open themselves.
You can listen to the full conversation in Swiss German with Elena Ibello hier.
Ongoing Dialogues with Rebekka Nowak
Culinary traditions – and how they nourish the souls of the living and the dead.
Rebekka Nowak is a grief and end-of-life companion, a spiritual caregiver, and a mother.
The Trauer Taskforce regularly hosts conversations that explore mourning, memory, and the art of farewell from new angles.
Rebekka Nowak is a steady, luminous voice in these dialogues: warm, clear, and deeply human.
„We’re still very cautious when it comes to honouring the dead, to celebrating them, and giving thanks.
My heartfelt wish is that we open up to this – and that people lose their fear of death.“
— Rebekka Nowak
In our conversations, we spoke about the power of rituals, about flowers, photographs, candles, and good food.
What do Mexicans do differently when facing the finite?
What can we learn from them, to develop a more conscious, more colourful relationship with death?
A loss does not have to be grey and dark.
It is painful – no question – but with love, gratitude, and nourishing traditions, we can begin to grasp the end... with both hands.
Watch the 2023 conversation
Watch the 2024 conversation