Onument Lommel

Creating an outside space of comfort and meaning.

The COVID-19 crisis deeply affected the community of Lommel (B), creating a profound need for a space - and a moment -to give collective grief its rightful place.
In co-creation with Onumenten (Uus Knops, Bas Smet), the city of Lommel, artists, and local organisations, we designed the ritual inauguration of the newly established Onument: a place of silence and healing within the cemetery grounds.

On 1 November 2022, hundreds of participants gathered for an immersive opening ritual, shaped around the Medicine Wheel and the cyclical wisdom of nature. Local musicians, dancers, and artists contributed through word and movement, while the public was actively invited to take part.

The Onument immediately became a shared space of connection for the community. The collaboration between the city, artists, and ritual guidance demonstrated the power of meaningful collective moments - beyond words, in connection with something bigger.