'Rouw van jou' is a project that started with me, stemming from my own experiences with grief due to the loss of multiple loved ones in a short period of time. Through these losses and the different ways I grieved each one, I was left with many questions. I also felt that I had nowhere to express my feelings; I had nowhere to go without feeling embarrassed, and nowhere where I could truly express my emotions. Based on my own feelings, I started this project to create a place where you can release your emotions.
"Rouw van jou" is an experience center for grief, where everyone who is dealing with any form of grief is welcome. Inside the center, there are rooms designed to help you connect with and express your true emotions. Each room is based on a stage of grief: Denial, Sadness, Anger, Bargaining, and Acceptance. However, there is no rule dictating which emotion you should feel in any given room; this can be different for everyone.
Denial/ontkenning
Denial/ontkenning
Denial/ontkenning
Anger / Woede
Anger / woede
Bargaining/onderhandelen
Bargaining/onderhandelen
Sadness / verdriet
Sadness / Verdriet
Acceptance / acceptatie
Acceptance/acceptatie
As you exit the rooms, you enter the inner space. This is a communal area where you can take a moment to breathe, unwind, or process your emotions. I aimed to make the atmosphere of this space as calming as possible, which is why everything has a unified look with minimal distractions that could cause disturbance. When you sit or lie on the benches, the reflective water glimmers from above, creating a serene environment that helps you truly relax.
With this experience center, I hope to break the taboo surrounding grief. The goal is to create a place where all those who are grieving feel comfortable to enter and engage in their healing process.
