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Eulogy for a Home

Keep Sedona Beautiful, Sedona, AZ

photos by Bob Coates



After the Woolsey Fire destroyed our family home, which my mom and dad handbuilt 48 years prior, I wanted to offer a presentation representing the attitudes and archetypes that came to life for me in our home and which I felt provided insights into ways forward after the fire. It was an ttempt to try to cope with this extreme personal loss as well as to examine ways of being that might help us all deal with the uncertain future being brought about by human created climate change. As part of the show there was also a small exhibit of burnt household items, as well as one of the images from a post-fire photo shoot with photographer Jorge Vismara, which we engaged in as a form of catharsis and healing.

Photos by Bob Coates.

Transformation, burning down the house.
Transformation, burning down the house.
Pash placing the mask of Transformation on the totem.
Pash placing the mask of Transformation on the totem.
The Rebel
The Rebel
The Rebel unmasked.
The Rebel unmasked.
Emptiness, the main feeling after the fire.
Emptiness, the main feeling after the fire.
The Mute, or Nature's Voice, representing all that can't be said, only felt and expressed non-verbally.
The Mute, or Nature's Voice, representing all that can't be said, only felt and expressed non-verbally.
The Artist, trying to make art out of the remains.
The Artist, trying to make art out of the remains.
The Child, being with the wonder that was and that still remains.
The Child, being with the wonder that was and that still remains.
Love, reminding us to love everything as much as possible while it's still here.
Love, reminding us to love everything as much as possible while it's still here.
Peace, finding a way to be present no matter the circumstances.
Peace, finding a way to be present no matter the circumstances.
Peace
Peace
Compassion, holding space for the many losses.
Compassion, holding space for the many losses.
Insight, trying to dig deeper.
Insight, trying to dig deeper.
Insight
Insight
Sophia, the Wise
Sophia, the Wise
Sophia, Wise Woman, holding a burned kitchen bowl.
Sophia, Wise Woman, holding a burned kitchen bowl.
The final totem representing archetypes to move forward with into the future.
The final totem representing archetypes to move forward with into the future.
Home artifacts that burned in the fire.
Home artifacts that burned in the fire.
Home artifacts that burned in the fire.
Home artifacts that burned in the fire.
Home artifacts that burned in the fire.
Home artifacts that burned in the fire.
Home artifacts that burned in the fire.
Home artifacts that burned in the fire.
Home artifacts that burned in the fire.
Home artifacts that burned in the fire.
Altar with photos and artifacts that survived the fire. Also a picture of the house, drawn by Pash from memory when she was a teenager.
Altar with photos and artifacts that survived the fire. Also a picture of the house, drawn by Pash from memory when she was a teenager.
Photo by Jorge Vismara of Pash in a burnt out oak tree near her old family home that burned.
Photo by Jorge Vismara of Pash in a burnt out oak tree near her old family home that burned.