In Sickness & In Health ︎

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The “Totentanz” motif is a recurring theme in art history’s skies at times of crisis and despair. Its first known origins come from the 14th century, when a post-Black Death Europe was still processing the loss. In an etching piece attributed to Michael Volgemut, part of the Nuremberg Bible, the “Vision of the Valley of Dry Bones” scene from Ezekiel book appears re-modelled, with singing and dancing as a joyful group of skeletons. An illustration of the endless, unfathomable dance between life and tragedy. 

Similiarily, 500 years onwards, Walt Disney’s dance macabre “skeleton dance” animation piece, was made in the post-1929 economic crash, shows a single skeleton unfolding into a merry group. 

Similiarily, In Sickness & In Health is the tragi-comic dance which takes place nowadays, deep in the refuge of the private home. As public gatherins are being sanctioned, even banned - Zoom sessions in which stranger people dance together - thrive.  

Soundtrack: Gaga Virtual Classes