Deep Listening Ritual with Artist in Residence Lia Pikus

Deep Listening encourages us to drop into presence with ourselves and with others. This practice (described by composer Pauline Oliveros as “listening in every possible way to everything possible to hear”) can become a way of being in a new kind of relation to ourselves and our environments. Through this multi-sensory practice of attunement to sound, stillness, breath and movement, Deep Listening can help foster profound experiences of emotional catharsis and processing.

In this Deep Listening experience, participants will be guided through an hour-long musical meditation led by 25-26 Artist-in-Residence Lia Pikus. In the quiet comfort of Mount Auburn’s Hazel Dell, Lia will use her cello and loop pedal^ to guide participants through a Deep Listening ritual that will help to foster our relationship with impermanence through attunement to the natural world.

Participants are encouraged to bring a yoga mat, blanket, pillow, or anything else you can sit or lay on comfortably. There will also be chairs available.

Check-in at the top of Hazel Dell ramp (along Central Ave).

Location: Hazel Dell

Cap: 25 people

*Please Note: Lia Pikus is not a certified Deep Listening practitioner.

^Loop pedals are used to record and “loop” musical sounds or patterns in order to add layers, textures, and backing tracks.

...

LIA PIKUS is one of Mount Auburn's 25-26 Artists-in-Residence. She is a cellist, composer, and illustrator whose practice centers on art’s ability to cultivate experiences of presence and connection, both within community and in dialogue with the natural world. By drawing and reflecting on natural processes, Lia seeks to help audiences make emotional and sensory connections with their environments. As a Thomas J. Watson fellow (2023), she researched this connective power on a global scale, exploring the role of art in fostering community around the world. This research formed the foundation for her current explorations in live looping as a form of mediative ritual. It is also the central focus of her debut EP, Ritual, released in 2024. Lia was an Artist-in-Residence at Shenandoah National Park in 2024 and at Mothership NYC in 2023. She is currently pursuing a Masters in Religion, Ethics, and Politics at Harvard University.

...

Experience a deeper connection to Mount Auburn Cemetery with free or discounted access to all our public programs and special events by joining the Friends of Mount Auburn. Our robust roster of programs each year is made possible by the generous support of our donors and in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

For inquiries about accessibility, to request an accommodation, or if you have any questions about your membership, please contact [email protected].

Mount Auburn is proud to participate in in MCC’s Card to Culture Program. Click here to learn more.

Refund Policy:

Refunds and exchanges for events at Mount Auburn Cemetery are available up to 5 business days prior to the event.* Cancellations made after this deadline are not eligible for a refund and the order amount will be donated to support future programs and initiatives.

If Mount Auburn Cemetery decides to cancel an event, all ticket holders will be notified and automatically refunded.

*This policy excludes special events. Refund policies for special events will be listed directly on their event page. Exchanges are only applicable to events with multiple occurrences.

Host or Publisher Friends of Mount Auburn