Between Tomorrow and Yesterday: A Memorial
As of 9:00am on September 27, 2021, the number of people who have died due to the coronavirus were
World 4,743,708 sourced from https://covid19.who.int/
USA 681,502 sourced from https://covid19.who.int/
Illinois 24,783 sourced from http://dph.illinois.gov/covid19/covid19-statistics
Cook County, IL 11,542 sourced from http://dph.illinois.gov/covid19/covid19-statistics
Due to public health restrictions caused by COVID-19 and the coronavirus many people have not been able to grieve collectively. This has made it difficult to fully mourn the family, friends, and other community members who lost their lives during the pandemic. Between Tomorrow and Yesterday: A Memorial opens a space to reflect on losses and how we navigate them individually and collectively.
The numbers above were drawn onto one piece 16 x 8” sheet of Japanese kozo (mulberry) paper in charcoal and buried in the garden of 400 N. Humphrey Avenue in Oak Park, IL.
Over time, the drawing will mingle with roots and soil and feed new growth of plants that will nourish the soil, provide food for animals, and oxygen for all life. Reflecting on these ongoing, natural processes can counter the insufficient space and time of mourning brought on by the pandemic.
Between Tomorrow and Yesterday: A Memorial was installed as part of the 2021 Terrain Biennial.
Photo and video credit: Bryan Northup