Art on the MOve: Magic and Resistance – Film screening on the art of voodoo
What actually happens when artists openly confess to a spiritual practice? Why is spirituality so maligned – at least in the Western art world?
We present a unique program of short films about spirituality as a form of resistance—decolonial, Creole, feminist—based on the paintings of Haitian voodoo priest and artist André Pierre in the Museum Ostwall collection.
One of the most famous filmmakers who professed her belief in voodoo was Maya Deren. In Haiti, Deren connected with the “loas” of voodoo and from then on dedicated herself to this practice in her films and books. Because: you don’t believe in voodoo, you practise it! Deren learned a lot from the voodoo priest André Pierre, who in turn discovered painting through the filmmaker.
The artistic short film programme interweaves painting, film, dance and spirituality in relation to Haitian voodoo and its deep roots in decolonial resistance.
Short film programme:
In the Mirror of Maya Deren, Martina Kudláček, 2001, AT/CH/DE 2001, 103‘ (Footage 11 min., kindly provided by Navigator Film)
Who was Maya Deren? Austrian director Martina Kudláček succeeds in deciphering one of the most enigmatic figures in film history in her eye-opening documentary in a unique way. Rare interviews with dancer Katherine Dunham and painter André Pierre provide insight into the belief system that changed Deren’s life: Haitian voodoo.
At Land, Maya Deren, 1944, 15‘
Maya Deren never really felt at home ‘At Land’. Born Eleanora Derenkovskaya, the Ukrainian artist had her husband and cameraman Alexander Hammid give her a new name: Maya, meaning water. In At Land, the two create surreal worlds that lead us from one dream to the next.
Katherine, Esery Mondesir, 2019, 3‘
In this experimental short film, Esery Mondesir focuses on a key figure in Maya Deren’s life: Katherine Dunham. It was none other than this famous dancer, anthropologist and civil rights activist who introduced Deren to Haitian dance culture. Mondesir reworked found footage showing Dunham in Haiti.
Fly, Fly Sadness, Miryam Charles, 2015, 6‘
Miryam Charles belongs to a new generation of artists from the Haitian diaspora. Surrealistic elements combine with hypnotic landscapes and a “cursed” history.
A Fortress, Miryam Charles, 2018, 6‘
In this experimental film shot on grainy 16mm film, the artist with Haitian roots tells of Haiti’s supernatural, spiritual power: the island’s DNA is said to bring the dead back to life.
Free admission.
An event by Art on the MOve, a cooperation of Museum Ostwall and Internationales Frauen Film Fest Dortmund+Köln.
