Each Egg a World Online
Each Egg a World Online from Adinda van 't Klooster on Vimeo.
The online artwork is based on the Each Egg a World painting made by Adinda van ’t Klooster in 2017. It contains 44,061 dots that together create patterns of human female egg cells inside a larger egg shape. Each dot represents a stillbirth and all that that entails. In the online version of the artwork it is possible to select one of the dots and name it after a stillborn baby; this can be done by either the mother or the father of the baby or by both parents together. The participant(s) can then write a brief (up to 250 word) anonymous description of their experience of stillbirth and related emotions. A named dot will turn red and once the statement has been reviewed it will be readable online when hovering over the named dot. Anybody, including people who have not directly experienced stillbirth, can view the statements and give feedback on the artwork. It is hoped that the artwork will help to break the taboo on stillbirth and make people feel slightly better equipped with understanding when they come across a stillbirth in their own communities.
Experience the artwork Give feedback
The definition of a stillbirth differs in different countries. The World Health Organisation recommends for international comparison that the definition is: a baby born with no signs of life at or after 28 weeks' gestation. However, the UK uses a cut off point of 24 weeks and in the United States the term stillbirth is used for the loss of a baby after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Stillbirth can be further classified as early (20-27 weeks), late (28-36 weeks) or term stillbirth (37 or more weeks of pregnancy). In this artwork, stillborn babies can be entered from 20 weeks of pregnancy.
In the online artwork there is a search function which allows the viewer to type in a word that they think might be one that will be repeatedly used (for example anger or sadness or love), and when they click the search icon all the dots where statements used this word will highlight. Once the artwork is more densely populated this will be a quick way to explore the range of emotions raised by a stillbirth.
This artwork hopes to create an inclusive picture of the impact that a stillbirth can have on people’s lives. It is common complaint of people who have experienced a stillbirth that the magnitude of their loss is ill understood by their wider community and that although they would like to talk about it, they feel pressure to stay quiet because it is such a difficult topic.
It will also be possible to visit the artwork in three physical venues in London, Manchester and Newcastle upon Tyne, see here.
An evaluation survey will go live in the fall, it will be used to evaluate if the artwork has helped to reduce some of the stigma experienced by those who suffered a stillbirth.
If you know anyone who has experienced a stillbirth please invite them to participate in the artwork, which is online at https://stillbornproject.org.uk/eacheggaworld/
If you would like to help us promote the Each Egg a World online artwork please download an information pack with a sample article and further information here.
Feedback received:
A sample of responses gathered so far to the artwork –
From people who contributed their experience of stillbirth
Just reading a few of the stories challenged my loneliness such that i chose to enter a dot story for ny baby.
Creating artwork in Miller’s memory and naming a dot after him means the world to me. It’s a way to honor his brief but impactful life, giving him a lasting place in the universe. Each time I look at the art or think of his dot, I feel closer to him, reminded that he’ll always be a part of my life. This tribute offers comfort and a sense of connection, allowing his legacy to shine on, even in his absence.
Sharing our stories and showing the world how many babies die to stillbirth and are loved and missed by their parents will help to get the message across that these babies matter and they are our children forever like any other [living] child.
When dealing with a loss of a child it’s tough to find anyone who can relate. I find it helps me to hear other people’s experiences. It makes me feel not alone.
It is a feeling of belonging. Thanks for producing this artwork to raise awareness. I am also researching stigma around stillbirth and have emailed you.
I liked reading other parents messages. When I saw some people lost more than one child and I've been crying every day all day for my one and only baby, I am realising that I am not thankful enough to my Lord and that He will definitely help me.
To see others suffering eases your own in a way I will never understand.
It is nice to feel part of a group and understand that we are not alone in this very bumpy journey.
I’ve found speaking to others in similar situations helpful.
It is a very healing experience to be connected to others who have experienced a similar experience to yourself because it truly is isolating. We are a community of people that can find comfort and hope in eachother.
My mother has remembered her first baby for 60 years but not publicly. Stillbirth was taboo for many of these years.
More people need to know ther not alone
Speaking about my loss helps me and also eases my fears that my daughter will be forgotton
Talking about my lost son helps me to let the world around me remember that I have three boys, not only the two who live with me. I will never forget, and sometimes I think people around me need a reminder of his existence as well.
Since losing my baby back in March 2020, I felt alone with most people in society. I felt unable to speak Sophia's name without judgement and sorrowful looks. But I began a blog and as months went on more bereaved mothers reached out to me, I no longer felt alone and people who haven't experienced a loss of a child but have read my blogs have also reached out to me because they've said they've learned more from them. I believe this artwork will help society realise that although our hearts are broken, and a piece will always be missing. That missing piece is filled with love for our baby and it's something I will never be ashamed of. This work of art will show the similarities each parent feels, it will help bereaved parents know they're not alone but it'll help society realise that there is more love than sadness, and that love needs to be celebrated for our babies. - Stephanie (Mama to Sophia)
The more we share the better both for the community and raising awareness.
It is helpful and comforting to read of other's experience (although it also makes me very sad to read other stories). Stillbirth is so lonely - it helps to know your deep grief is 'normal' and shouldn't be shamed. And it will also help to be able to share this and shine a light on stillbirth for the world to see. Thank you.
People are scared to talk about something which they have no experience of and something which is beyond comprehension for many. In order to get people talking, then a project such as this will go a long way to opening up a dialogue with people. I love to talk about our angel and we mention his name everyday in our house so that my children know about their brother and so that our families and friends know that they too can mention his name.
A wonderful chance to share and talk about my Ellie and her story.
Amazing project really truly amazing!
From people who visited the Each Egg a World artwork
It happens to all sorts of people
I can relate to the comments that I read having experience stillbirth five years ago with my baby Jonas. It's important that we can all be more open about stillbirth and support those families who are going through the trauma. It's essential that more research is done to help avoid little lives being lost. Thank you for your work Adinda in helping stillbirth be talked about and understood.
I was surprised at how common stillbirth is and reflected that it isn’t seen or spoken about as part of many people’s lives. It made me think about health inequalities and how women’s health is more broadly still taboo.
My first understanding of baby loss was when I was a child and my mum cried. She was 39 weeks pregnant and was told her babies heart had stopped beating. I remember sobbing for her, for her baby and for the big brother who would never never meet his younger sibling. Again, when I was in my 20s a colleague went on maternity leave, but without a baby to cradle in her arms and again I sobbed for her. Neither time did I speak to the women about this loss, I only projected my feelings onto them. Flash forward to my first pregnancy loss (at 14 weeks) and I felt a pain I didn’t know it was possible to live through…suddenly I had an idea and I remembered those women and I remembered weeping for them, and I knew my pain was not the same. This artwork is beautiful and perfect and important. Parents left with a gaping space in their arms and hearts deserves place to express that. Well done.
Today, 10 years after the stillbirth of my dear niece, I am reminded of the importance of breaking the taboo on this subject. I experience much love for her, even though I never got to see her alive in this life. I hope someday all people experiencing stillbirth will be able to share this great grief freely, and that they feel understood and supported. Thank you, dear sister, for speaking up!
I once worked closely with three young women who were all expecting their first child at roughly the same time. Two gave birth to a healthy baby, a son and daughter respectively. The third suffered a stillbirth. It was very difficult to know what to say in the circumstances - the joy of two women and the devastation of the third. She left the company, moved away and eventually had a healthy child. Life moved on. The need to say anything seemed to have been overtaken by events. I think through this artwork and the testimonies of others I now understand what she was going through and have a better idea of what I could have/should have said.
Stillbirth is still taboo. A lonely place to be because our community turns away and people don't want to talk about the fact that babies sometimes die.
So many people going through the same heartache.
It was very moving and made me realise the importance of breaking the taboo in order that people can share their experiences. I hope that Each Egg a World raises awareness and helps to bring support to those that have experienced this terrible loss.
It's beautiful to read how much love people feel for their babies but so sad they had to lose them. It's also made me aware of how important it is to let people talk about their baby and to actively ask questions about them rather than ignore the issue.
This is painful to get an insight to but important for everyone to understand. Thank you to everyone that shared their stories.
The artist should be proud to have provided a forum for such powerful human experiences, which still functions aesthetically. It will be intriguing to see the transformation in the work as statements accrue, with more and more detail at greater zoom levels. The art object here has true potential social impact.
The human spirit in the face of such great pain and loss is in powerful evidence throughout the contributed statements. No matter the distance in time, the memory cannot be escaped, and the artwork can only help a wider understanding of the grief and love of bereaved parents in a society which still suffers over and over again.
Tenemos que dar visibilidad. - We have to give visibility.
