lifestyles
An artist from Ghana made a life out of designing fantasy coffins.
You can see his airplane (above),his leopard(right), and his Mercedes, cow and crab coffins(all below) at the University of Missouri Kansas City.
Story by Megan Maciejowski Photos by Paul Kotz
Spending eternity in a wooden box may not sound appealing. But a coffin modeled after a Mercedes-Benz could ease the transition between living and breathing and decomposing six feet under the ground.
"A Life Well
Lived: The Coffins of Kane Quaye in Social and Cultural Context" at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Gallery of Art is an exhibit of Quaye's unique artistic vision of his fantasy coffins, which range in form from a crab to an outboard motor.
Exhibit director Craig Slaub said the exhibit, which began Friday and ends Oct. 24, had been amazingly popular despite the public's general apprehension about death-related themes.
Subler first became interested in bringing Quaye's work to the university while at a similar exhibit two years ago in Europe. He was in the midst of an in-depth study of burial rights in Ghana and concluded that Quaye's art was reflective of the community's traditions and customs.
"Any time you have a great artist that is able to mirror the community and culture from which he came from, the work is important," Subler said.
coffin, or a person with extreme wealth may have the ultimate status symbol — a Mercedes-Benz coffin.
People in Ghana believe that ancestors play a vital role in the lives of those still living. That's why there is a commitment to a successful burial, which is part of Quaye's work.
The coffins reflect the belief in Ghana that the extent of mourning and posthumous tributes reflect the stature of the deceased. Each coffin is uniquely personal, and its theme is symbolic of the person's work or status. For example, a "sherman might be buried in a fishing canoe
But they aren't being bought by KU students.
Since his death and burial in a gold-trimmed, regular coffin in 1902, Quaye's legacy has been continued by his brother Ben. Ben Quaye's shop turns out six to eight special coffins each month, depending on demand. Prices begin at $3,000 and increase based on material, motif and client.
Most students said they felt that their coffins were unimportant in defining the significance of their lives or in determining their afterives, possibly a reflection of American culture.
Considering growing environmental concerns, many students said they felt that coffins were a waste of trees and space.
But some students did play with the idea of being immortalized by their coffins.
Aspiring musician Jenni Venzke, Loveland,
Colo., freshman, has a fantasy coffin in mind.
"I'd like to be buried in a guitar-shaped coffin, because hopefully by the time I die, I'll be identified with my music," she said.
Dawn Wolf, Billings, Mont., sophomore wants her coffin to be designed like an aquarium because of her love for fish.
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Cultural Calendar EXHIBITIONS AND LECTURES
Exhibition - "Latter Days of the Law: Images of Chinese Buddhism 850-1850," Aug. 27-Oct. 9 at the Spencer Museum of Art.
Jazz Clinic - Hal Galper, guest instructor, 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. today in 102 and 328 Murphy Hall.
Jazz Clinic – “The Art of Combo Playing,” 1 p.m. tomorrow in 102 Murphy Hall.
Open House - McQueen Fine Arts Gallery open house featuring Lawrence artists, 6 p.m. tomorrow at McQueen Jewelers, 809 Massachusetts St.
Exhibition - Native American Ceramics from the Southwest Pueblos, Sept. 10-Oct. 23 at the Spencer Museum of Art.
Exhibition - Kids' Art Show, Sept. 26-Oct. 3 in Lawrence Riverfront Plaza, Sixth and New Hampshire streets.
Exhibition - "Land and Its Uses: Photographs from the Collection," Sept. 3- Dec. 31 at the Spencer Museum of Art.
Exhibition - "Spooner Hall Architectural Drawings," Sept. 17-Nov. 13 at the Spencer Museum of Art.
PERFORMANCES
Lawrence Community Theatre presents "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," 7:30 p.m. tomorrow, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Lawrence Community Theatre, 1501 New Hampshire St. T. Stickets $11 public, $10 students and senior citizens on Friday and Saturday, $10 public and $9 students and senior citizens on Sunday. Special student ticket rate $5 on Thursday only.
Fall Concert - University Symphony Orchestra,
7:30 p.m. Friday at the Lied Center. Tickets $6
public, $3 students and senior citizens.
Inge Theatre Series presents "Daytrip," 8 p.m.
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday at Inge Theatre in Murphy Hall. Tickets $6 public, $3 KU students, $5 other students and senior citizens.
Visiting Artists Series - Mark Clinton and Nicole Narbon, two planos, 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 3 at Swarthout Recital Hall.
Fall Concert - University Concert Wind Ensemble, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 4 at the Lied Center. Tickets $4 public, $2 students and senior citizens.
Doctoral Recital - Dina E. Evans, organ, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5 at Swarthout Hrecital Hall.
Jazz Concert: The Hal Galper Trio, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 5 at the Lied Center. Tickets $6 public, $3 students and senior citizens.