In The Empire of Death: A Cultural History of Ossuaries and Charnel Houses, Dr. Paul Koudounaris gives us an intimate understanding of the sites where bones of dead people are placed together en masse. What may seem like a gory theme for a book and photo series is actually a beautiful treatment of the culturally touchy subject of death. Armed with a PhD in Art History from UCLA, Dr. Paul K begins his odyssey with a “A Dialogue with Death,” moving into the spiritual and ethnic significance of places holding multiple human remains.

Dr. Paul Koudounaris says:

These sites were intended as statements of hope and beauty, and it was important to me that I find a means through photographs and the writing of history to convey that: these sites represent death only in so far as death itself affirms life.

Dr. Koudounaris will be giving a presentation with slide show and book signing. Prints of some of the original photos from the book will be on hand. Date: Thursday, October 20
Time: 6:30pm – 7:30pm Location: 824 Valencia, Paxton Gate