I’ve always had an interest in history and anthropology, and the more knowledgeable I have become about other cultures through U of M courses and interactions with people from different cultural backgrounds I have become aware of the volume of inaccurate stereotypes and racist ideologies present in everyday media or conversation. A common portrayal of foreign spirituality is through the use of magical practice, which has been distorted and even villainized by the entertainment media. Practices such as Vodou are commonplace in many facets of entertainment but more often than not, the true practices and cultural significance are completely lost in translation or ignored by dominant, mostly westernized, cultures.
My project is a series of woodcuts and a website made to inform and educate people through a mix of fine art and historical research. Each of these hand-printed posters depicts a type of mystical practice. Within the composition, each object represents a certain ritual, artifact, or characteristic of that practice. The prints are accompanied by written explanations of the piece with factual information and research about the culture and rituals themselves. The series of multi-plate block prints are laser engraved and printed on handmade paper with education and respect for the religion in mind.
Haitian Vodou is very popular in different forms of media, but it has been quite warped from its true practice. The religion is centuries old and is a combination of multiple beliefs derived from West Africa and the Catholic Church.
The practices included in the poster show the use of animal sacrifice which is very common. The use of animal sacrifice in the context with the bottle seen paced next to it during a ritual brings about good fortune. In addition to animal sacrifice and rituals, Catholic practices and the playing of specific music is commonplace.
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Wicca is a relatively new religious practice that came out of England in the 20th century. It is based heavily in early pagan practices and often deals with multiple goddesses or gods. In this case, the Triple goddess and the Horned God.
The items in this poster can be associated with ritual practice. Candles and crystals are commonplace along with what is often referred to as a "Book of Shadows," which is an adaptable book of practices as opposed to a solid set of beliefs. In addition, an athamé, or small knife, is often used symbolically in rituals to direct energy. These rituals are often carried out during certain periods of lunar phases that can represent heightened energy or rejuvenation.
Kulam is the practice of dark magic or maleficarum in the Philippines. This poster showcases a few different practices, such as Barang, a ritual in which familiars in the form of insects invade the targets of the spell to cause bodily harm. A white piece of string is attached to the leg of this insect to show that it has caused harm when it has returned. In addition to this insect, you can see a Kalamungay branch, a porcelain plate, and a Paktol Skull.
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As opposed to the harm caused by Kulam, albularyo or healers can find and address the curses and spells left on people through the use of candles, chicken feathers, or even chewing gum. In a ritual called Pagtatawas, where shapes are made from dripping wax in a cool basin of water, these healers can determine the exact spell used and how to lift it.
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In Romania, Vrăjitoare, meaning witches, fortune tellers, or healers, are female practicers of Roma culture. Although the culture is very patriarchal, women are given the right to practice Vrăjitoare and carry out specific spells both for themselves and other Roma as well as the general public. While certain rituals are closed practice, such as smoke reading, divination and love spells are commonly sought after by clientele.
The objects shown depict aspects of Vrăjitoare such as bottles for love potions and other spells. Gold coins and shells can be used as amulets to protect against evil or dark practices. Elements of Catholicism and prayer can be found in the practice are the statue of the Virgin Mary and the black chess piece to represent Sara la Kali or Sain Sarah, the patron Saint of Romani people. The sacrifice of birds such as black hens ​is carried out to remove black spells.
