Carla Zimbler is the creative force behind Expiry D8, a bold work tackling the taboo of death through conversation, art and connection. Inspired by the global Cafés Mortels movement, Carla invites us to explore end-of-life topics through a speed-dating style format featuring death doulas, funeral celebrants, and green burial advocates. At the heart of the evening is BECKON, a haunting sonic installation created with Tilman Robinson, where bedside lamps from deceased estates become beacons of remembrance and reflection.

We sat down Carla ahead of Expiry D8 to unpack the inspiration behind the work and her hopes for sparking open, meaningful conversations about what awaits us on the other side.

Can you tell us more about the origins of the global Cafés Mortels movement and how it has inspired this work?

In 2004, Swiss sociologist Bernard Crettaz founded the first Café Mortel in Neuchâtel, describing it as a place to connect with ‘the truth.’ It was an informal, judgment-free gathering, with no agenda and no religious ties. In his book Sortir la mort du silence, Crettaz sought to challenge the secrecy surrounding death and foster open dialogue about the inevitable. Known as “l’homme qui porte la mort” (the man who carries death), Crettaz’s vision lives on through end-of-life doulas and death literacy advocates who continue to facilitate Death Cafes around the world. To reclaim and address the topic of death in an accessible space is to break the taboo and set it free. Similarly, I wanted Expiry D8 to be a much-needed release, like a deep exhale after held breath. A temporary but transformative environment which encourages people to unmask, share stories, laugh and normalise the conversation – over a cup of tea.