Collective Grief Explored in Elia Arce's "No Time to Mourn"

Elia Arce's performance piece, "No Time to Mourn (An Excerpt)," debuted at Los Angeles' REDCAT contemporary arts center on October 30, 2025, following earlier presentations in Houston and New York City. Each iteration of the performance was adapted to fit the specific venue and audience, yet retained core elements that emphasize collective mourning. The performance features a figure draped in blue, symbolizing grief, while a woman on stage engages in a repetitive folding ritual, transforming a bundle of cloth into a representation of a body. This act culminates in a poignant moment where the figure cradles the bundle, evoking themes of loss and remembrance.

New York Observer

Arce's work is deeply rooted in the concept of community healing through shared grief. Inviting Palestinian families to participate, she created a space where individuals could read the names and ages of loved ones lost in conflict, laying flowers in their memory. Arce articulated her vision, stating, “We created a safe space … where we could mourn together. Instead of an individual grief, it became a community healing.” This approach reflects her intention to transform feelings of helplessness into a cathartic experience, ultimately crafting a monument out of bereavement.

New York Observer

The performance draws heavily on imagery from Gaza, particularly the sight of mass graves and mourning mothers. Arce's narration, which includes her Spanish poem "grietas y fisuras" ("cracks and fissures"), serves as a haunting backdrop to the visual elements of the performance. The poem’s opening lines, “The child finally wakes up / in his father’s arms,” encapsulate the emotional weight of the narrative, reinforcing the connection between loss and the hope for reunion.

New York Observer

Arce's work challenges traditional notions of monuments and collective identity. Unlike symbols such as the Statue of Liberty or the Colosseum, which evoke singular national identities, Arce's living monuments are rooted in personal and communal narratives. She emphasizes that grief should be a collective experience, stating that her performance "corresponds to their own culture" and "reaffirms their own narrative." This perspective underscores the importance of shared mourning in the face of tragedy, suggesting that collective grief can foster a deeper understanding of humanity.

New York Observer

While Arce's approach to collective mourning has been praised for its emotional depth, some critics argue that the performance may not resonate with all audiences. The adaptation of personal grief into a public performance raises questions about the commodification of sorrow and whether such expressions can genuinely encapsulate the complexities of individual loss.

New York Observer

• “We created a safe space … where we could mourn together. Instead of an individual grief, it became a community healing.” — Elia Arce, Artist

New York Observer

• “The child finally wakes up / in his father’s arms.” — Elia Arce, from her poem "grietas y fisuras."

New York Observer

• “Cracks make way for cracks / Cracks fade with the light that makes them obsolete / This is how cracks ensure that in the end, only light remains.” — Elia Arce, concluding lines of her performance

New York Observer

Arce's "No Time to Mourn" serves as a poignant exploration of collective grief, inviting audiences to engage with the shared experience of loss while challenging conventional narratives surrounding identity and memory.

New York Observer