Vodou Riche Exhibit – by Jessica Greske

Review of the Vodou Riche Exhibit at Columbia College Chicago:

Haiti, the poorest country in the Western hemisphere, crushes that title when looked at through the art of the country. Voudou Riche, the contemporary Haitian art exhibit at Columbia College Chicago’s Glass Curtain Gallery, gives us a look at some of the art and culture from this country. From the vibrant colors on the Haitian flags to the sculptures of skulls with giant penises, we are able to get a taste of the culture in different ways.

We are able to see an altar with the offerings to the Gods. The altar shrouded in black with doll heads in bottles and dolls bound to chairs perched upon it so the Gods stay present and listen to the prayers. There are hand-made crosses with snakes wrapped tight around them. The snake is peaceful in Haitian religion unlike in America where the snake is feared. This seemed to be the case with other objects in the Haitian religion if it was something bad in America it was cherished in Haiti. Take voodoo for example, Hollywood has shoved it down our throats that Voodoo is bad and involves hurting another person, yet in Haiti it is the complete opposite.

Upon first look the goddess of love resembles a horror film zombie. With her green skin, thin hair and combat gear, she is not the picture-esque version of a love goddess; instead she is on her way to battle. Her exposed vagina is supposed to make us laugh along with the skulls on motorcycles with giant penises that are nearby. We are asked to not be so serious all the time, there is always room for laughter.

Voudou Riche was a wonderful example of what can be found when you look beyond the obvious (the poverty of the country) and tune into what the people are saying through their art.

Jessica Greske is finishing up her last year of Columbia in style with plans to move out West come May.

~ by Kristin Scott on October 16, 2007.