Meet Our Region’s First “Death Influencer,” Artist Jay Davani
Davani is giving an artist talk about her photography exhibit on the subject of death this weekend as part of RISD’s Global Day of Action — Ritual + Revolution.
What is a death influencer? I had never heard the expression, but it turns out Rhode Island is home to one of the leading experts in the field. Jay Davani is a Providence-based artist who was born in Tehran, Iran, and is also a speaker on the topic of death. She is the lead for creative operations for RISD’s Marketing and Communications department and has also studied the practical, cultural and existential sides of death and mourning as part of Ayatana’s Death Residency.
Davani is showing an upcoming photography exhibit on the subject of death and will give an artist talk this Saturday, Sept. 16 from 2-4:30 p.m. at the RISD Museum’s Metcalf Auditorium. The lecture is free as part of RISD’s Global Day of Action — Ritual + Revolution. For this special presentation, Persian artists from the RISD community are coming together to explore and discuss ritual and revolution at home and abroad.
A photo by Jay Davani.
Provost Touba Ghadessi will introduce an engaging presentation by Davani, followed by a discussion with fellow Iranian artists Saman Sajasi, Sheida Soleimani and Maedeh Tafvizi Zavare. The artist’s talk will “discover the interplay between ancient traditions and modern revolutions, and the hidden narratives that have shaped Iran’s dynamic landscape over time.” Light refreshments will be provided by the Persian restaurant Shish Kabob.
The artist Jay Davani.
The artist Jay Davani.
For part of the discussion, Davani will discuss the theme of death in her photography. Her exhibition, “WITNESS,” is a self portrait series lifting the veil between life and death for those who have died for freedom.
“In this photographic odyssey, I embark on a visual journey that unearths the profound tapestry of human existence – one woven with the threads of mortality, fragility, and the poignant beauty of impermanence,” Davani says. “Through the lens of my camera, I navigate the intricate pathways of life’s ultimate destination, inviting viewers to embrace the enigma of death and find solace in its tender embrace.”
Through her photography, she captures intimate moments that transcend life on earth with what happens beyond. “With a sensitive lens, I will document the intimate moments that unfold in the presence of death – the tender touch, the whispered farewell, the gaze that lingers,” Davani says. “Connection is the heartbeat of my projects. I will engage with individuals from diverse walks of life – hospice caregivers, spiritual guides, families in mourning – to capture their stories and bear witness to their journeys.”
The exhibit and talk invite the viewer to ponder their own mortality. “As viewers engage with these photographs, I invite them to embrace the fragile beauty of our shared existence,” Davani says. “I encourage them to find comfort in the recognition of their own mortality, to honor the stories that have shaped them, and to acknowledge the profound dance between life and death that defines our fleeting presence on this earthly stage.”
Following the artist talk, Davani will also lead her next Death Cafe experience the following week on Sept. 21 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Roger Williams Park Gateway Center in Providence. The event is free but RSVP is required. A Death Cafe is a guided group discussion forum in a safe, confidential and non-judgemental space, where people can come together to talk openly and candidly about the meaning of life, mortality, death, dying and related topics.
“The aim of a Death Café is not to provide grief counseling or to promote any particular religious or spiritual beliefs, but rather to encourage honest conversations with the goal of promoting greater awareness and acceptance of death as a natural part of life,” Davani says.
So whether you have experienced the death of a friend or family member, or are curious about sharing your thoughts and experiences related to death, then you should check it out. All are welcome from hospice workers, doulas, the terminally ill, elderly, those experiencing a loss to the death-curious however, this program is recommended for anyone thirteen years or older. Ages sixteen or younger must be accompanied by an adult.
Follow @thejaydavani on Instagram for updates on Death Cafe events and tickets.
A photo by Jay Davani.
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