For NADA Miami 2023, Degeyter presents 'Death Bloom', an installation about newly proposed rituals that refer to ancient practices. The title ‘Death bloom’ is the phenomenon when a plant, often after several years of growth, produces a single flower stalk. Producing the inflorescence takes up so much energy that the plant dies in the event. The drawing on the walls is a self-portrait by Degeyter, depicting his differently colored eyes as floral masks made for his parents. Combining 3D printing and airbrushed paint with delicate, real flowers, his newly proposed floral masks invite us to blend past and present. As his signature sarcophagi series, these masks stand as propositions for new rituals. Delving into the universal symbolism of masks used across cultures worldwide, Degeyter seeks to go beyond Western conventions. While Western societies often employ masks to conceal identities, these creations aim to bridge the gap between the living and the ancestors, acting as vessels of memory and identity. Each mask represents a specific individual at a certain point in time. The selection of flowers holds meaning, reflecting the character of the person depicted or invoking a particular moment or place. This intertwining of personal narratives and natural elements adds a new layer to the masks, rendering them conduits to connect with our loved ones. As different species bloom at various times throughout the year, some masks can only be worn during a brief period annually. The impermanence of flowers adds a temporal dimension and puts emphasises on the masks’ connection to the cyclical nature of life. This theme is also echoed in the hermit crab series, where crabs crawl around, taking shelter in the washed-up floral heads of significant others. A new series of pet sarcophagi will be presented at NADA. For this occasion the choice was made for rose-ringed parakeets, one of the most commonly kept species of parakeet. In addition to the natural green coloration, 3 domestic color varieties are presented. Despite their beauty, these birds are rapidly spreading as an invasive in several parts of the world. Degeyter’s series of Pet Sarcophagi was his initial proposal as an alternative approach to transience. The ultimate transformation of a pet into a cherished toy after its death seems a logical continuation of the animal’s reason for existence.