The REQUIEM Project

The REQUIEM Project was developed in 2020 as a way to understand the staggering loss of life due to the COVID 19 pandemic. Once circle represents one person who died from the virus. By drawing golden circles, we recognize a person shines brightly long after they die while meditating on the cycle of life, death and rebirth. Together we create something beautiful and radiant from this horrible time.

The REQUIEM Project makes it possible to visualize the incredibly large numbers of people who died from COVID 19. This gives a tangible understanding of the magnatude of the pandemic that abstract numbers alone cannot. As numbers also cannot portray an individual person, the names of loved ones who died are written on the drawings remembering and symbolically honoring each life arc. The circles are drawn and names are written during Compassion Drawing events.

Tina talks with Dr. Todd Mei about Requiem on Living Philosophy

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Compassion Drawing Events

Compassion Drawing events are hosted by an individual, organization, school, spiritual center, business or really anywhere there is a need or desire to receive support and contribute to the memorial. During a Compassion Drawing event, participants draw golden circles. A circle is a symbol of eternity and rebirth and one circle is drawn for each person who has died from COVID-19. Multiple people draw circles on the prepared paper resulting in rich tapestries that inherently celebrate diversity. The illuminating qualities of gold remind us that we all glitter brightly and can offer light beyond our physical lifespan. The names of the dead are written on individual golden circles further adding to the richness and complexity of the drawings.

Drawing circles and writing names is quiet, meditative and soothing, literally marking an individual existence. Each person’s drawn  circles are unique, like a fingerprint. Multiple people work on the 50 x 72″ drawings creating rich tapestries expressing the collective and diverse nature of The REQUIEM Project. Coming together to draw also offers us all one way to process the collective trauma we experienced during the pandemic and process the grief caused by this time. One does not need to experience a death in the family circle to have been affected by all the death and challenges during the pandemic. Coming together during the Compassion Drawing events allow us to pause, grieve, tell stories and reflect on the beautiful fragility of life.

Understanding the challenge of learning all 6 million plus names from the world over, many circles will remain without names while symbolically representing the individual. When the drawings are exhibited, viewers are invited to contribute to the memorial by writing the names of their loved ones on the drawings. Collaboratively and over time, we complete the project together.

If you would like to host a Compassion Drawing event in your community or would like to exhibit the drawings, please reach out to Tina at [email protected].

March 6, 2023 Arizona Heritage Center, Tempe, AZ with Marked by COVID

October 28, 2022 Muslim Community Center, Pleasanton, CA

September 17, 2022 Walnut Creek Islamic Center, CA

April 24, 2022 Antioch Baptist Church, Brooklyn, NY

April 23, 2022 Congregation Beth Elohim, Brooklyn, NY

April  22, 2022 Congregation Beth Elohim, Brooklyn, NY

April 13, 2022  First Presbyterian Church, San Rafael, CA

January 9, 2022  Westminster Presbyterian, Tiburon, CA

November 15, 2021   92nd Street Y, New York City, NY

September 28, 2021   St. Mary’s College, Moraga, CA

September 3 – 5, 2021   Ratna Ling Retreat Center, Cazadero, CA

August 5, 2021   Grace Cathedral, San Francisco CA

June 24, 2021     RagaYoga Studio, Walnut Creek, CA

The REQUIEM Project Prayer Malas

Accompanying the drawings are 12 prayer malas or necklaces. Each necklace has 9 beads totalling 108 when all together. Many spiritual traditions utilize prayer necklaces with 108 beads for devotional prayer, mantra and meditation. 108 is a significant number and has multiple meanings depending on the spiritual practice including the wholeness of existence and the basis of all creation. 108 beads are divided so that 12 people must wear the individual necklaces to create a collective circle together. After the necessary separations of the pandemic, we have a somatic awareness of the importance of being together, worling together, being part of something larger than ourselves.

Each of the ebonized lime wood beads are constructed from combinations of the circle and the square, elemental geometry and sacred architecture woven into the fabric of all creation creating harmony within and amplifying our spirits. The circle represents the divine life force and is a symbol of vitality, wholeness, and perfection. The square is the symbol of physical matter and stability. Along with the wood beads are clear quartz beads. Quartz is believed to have the highest vibration of all stones able to offset any negative energy and is often referred to as the “master healer.” The quartz ovoids represent fertility, rebirth, even immortality and symbolize the complete circle of life and death, of sacred potential and time.

A project of this importance and size is a costly endeavor. Please donate to support The Requiem Project. All donations go to materials, costs associated with the Compassion Drawing events, documentation and exhibitions. If you would like to become an official sponsor of The Requiem Project, please contact Tina at [email protected]. By financially supporting the project, you become part of the project and help make it’s completion possible.