Week Two - Task #07. “Catacombs of Paris”

[Katherine Laurier]

Underground now, you smell limestone, damp cloth, and countless years of breath held in reverence.

This is not a single tomb, but many. The catacombs of Paris stretch in every direction. Around you are walls made of skulls and femurs stacked in patterns beautiful and grotesque.

A hooded figure passes by, humming. You follow, hearing the music of violins. A slow, solemn beat like a heart counting down.

You step into a chamber where skeletons dance in painted murals. Rich and poor. Young and old. All turning in a great circle.

This is the Danse Macabre. The reminder that death is not an end, only a step in the dance we all must join.

You find a piece of chalk. On the wall, you draw a small figure of yourself, arms open wide.

Another pumpkin flares on the tree. This one smirks like a skull.

You bow and exit, the music still playing behind your eyes.

Task:
The Danse Macabre is the Dance of Death, which depicts the idea that everyone, regardless of social status and what they did in their life, will inevitably end up joining it, and that we are all united in this way. Color one of the following coloring pages and post the image or image link below. For all 10 beans, make sure to have at least 3 different shades in your final work and give them a soul through your artistic choices–individuality and personality that your chosen skeleton may have had while they were alive. Get creative with it!
Option 1
Option 2
Option 3

Alternatively, write at least 150 words on your reflection and opinion on the idea of Danse Macabre.

This task is worth 10 beans, with an additional 13 bonus beans for completing all Week Two tasks by end of activity. Deadline is 11:59pm (HOL time) on Friday November 21st.

[River Fenwick]

https://imgur.com/Mi5Pe0g

[Emily Spencer]

[Kaylee Oatsong]

Hello,

I personally think that the Danse Macabre is a beautiful way of showing that all humans are the same despite their status, that they would meet the same fate at some point: death. Back in the days, status was almost considered as your whole personality, and people wouldn't judge about who you are, but in what position of the hierarchy you are in. I think as well that it is a way of rebelling against various destinies due to social classes. It reassures the poor people and tells nobles that nothing or no one is mightier than the Laws of Nature. I also believe that the idea of the Danse Macabre also showcases death in a positive way. Perhaps people dreaded the idea of dying, and perhaps this helped change their point of view of death. The idea of the Danse Macabre has been turned into pieces of music and art, possibly to spread the idea more easily or in a more metaphorical way.

Kaylee Oatsong

[Janne Halla]