The Fabric of Dying: How a Stitched Map Sparks End-of-Life Talks

Описание: Ever wondered if a simple box of fabric and words could unlock the toughest chats about dying? In this episode, I dive into the world of the Bioscope with Chetan Shastri, a Melbourne designer who's turned death into a navigable map – literally. It's not some dusty old chart; it's a tactile, embroidered toolkit that sparks real talk about end-of-life wishes, from home to hospice, without the awkward silence.

Chetan shares how his Indian roots, from street bioscopes with spinning films to his mum's hand-stitched embroidery, fused with global adventures in Cambodia's mass funerals and India's 'city of death' in Varanasi. Back in Australia, he wrestled with our hospital-heavy approach to dying, creating the Bioscope to decolonise death – reclaiming it from white coats and back to heartfelt conversations. We chat about his PhD journey, co-designing with palliative pros at places like Peter Mac and Alfred Health, and how this award-winning tool (shoutout to the Victorian Premier's Design Awards and Design Outlook) helps folks grieve, plan, and even cry it out at community sessions.

It's a reminder that facing death head-on isn't morbid – it's what makes life authentic. Chetan's work shows design can bridge cultures and taboos, turning 'the end' into a shared story. Check out images of the Bioscope in the show notes, and for a peek at those inspiring Kashmiri embroidered maps, head to the V&A Museum collections online – search 'Kashmiri Map Shaw' for a stunning look at cultural cartography.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

Bioscope origins from Indian cinema boxes to fabric map of dying sites like hospital and hospice.
Global death rituals from Varanasi wood pyres to Cambodia delayed funerals.
Decolonising death from medical control to cultural conversations.
Co-designing with palliative experts at Peter Mac and Alfred, award wins and community use.
Future plans for card/digital versions and custom Bioscopes in places like Japan.

Resources & links mentioned:

Kashmir Map Shawl: https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1...

Dying to Know Day: https://proveda.com.au/community-prog...

Bioscope images: https://premiersdesignawards.vic.gov....


Connect with Chetan

Instagram: @shastrichetan

Facebook:   / chetan.shastri  

LinkedIn:   / chetan-shastri-25747718  



Remember; You may not be ready to die, but at least you can be prepared.

Take care,

Catherine