One final installation in Montreal to round out this beautiful season. The “Temple of Release” was an installation at L’OssitdBurn 2021 by Asha Courtland and Jodi Sharp, to commemorate the death of community member Derek Jones. 

For many years, Derek was a pillar of the Montreal Burner community and touched so many aspects of its growth. He not only was a fundamental organizer of TaBURNak! and the theme camp Things That Swing, but he was enthusiastic about supporting the community and it’s members, both individually and as a whole, for anything needed including regularly offering his home for potlucks and event meetings. His time, friendship, generosity and financial support have been key aspects that have supported this community in thriving over many years. He identified deeply with the Montréal Burners and his loss is not only personal, but collective.

Derek passed away in early 2020 immediately before the pandemic hit. One of his requests was for his ashes to be scattered at the Burn. As a result of fallout from the pandemic, there has been no concrete opportunity for the community to come together to grieve his passing nor fulfil his request, with no idea as to when that will be possible. This was the first event where many of those who knew him could gather to grieve as well as fulfill one of Derek’s wishes to be celebrated at a Burn.

The “Temple of Release,” was a 9” x13” geodesic dome where people came to celebrate his life as well as meditate on death. Open 24 hours a day, people could enter and use the space however they needed to move through their emotions. 

Although the dome was built by Jodi with Archimedes Domes, it was bought by Derek as a gift to use for community gatherings. Derek’s dome and neon shade stars are an iconic reminder of one of his gifts to the community.

Inside the dome was an altar covered by Derek’s patterned mumu, an outfit he rarely removed at Burning Man, as an altar cloth and reminder of his joy and goofiness. The altar was be covered with Carnations and Mums, time honoured flowers of the dead.

I’m so grateful to have been able to make such a meaningful installation about such a dear friend with my collaborator Asha Courtland. It's pretty rare to find truly good collaborators in life. 👭 People who fit and know you so well that they fill in the gaps where your energy or understanding is lacking. I'm lucky to have found some people in my life with who I can not only truly work, but have incredibly meaningful relationships. 💕

Asha is one of those humans for me. We ran taBURNak! the Burner Decomp together for 7 years, we were on the Burner event board together for 5, and have run countless community events and gatherings together. The most recent project was the "Temple of Release," where she did the loin's share of the work because I was in the middle of a ginormous move. 

So many people showed up to help at the actual event. It’s so beautiful to have had so many people come together to build, grieve, and honor such an incredible human. Thank you to all who supported and help create this space. We did Derek proud, I’m certain.