Where - Wellcome Collection, London
When - 10th of January 2012
I went to this exhibition in Euston, to get inspiration for an assignment for college based on Magic, Rites and Rituals.
The exhibition is basically showcasing tributes to a higher power, Miracles being Thank you and Charms the Please.
I chose the guided tour option which was really beneficial as I was able to ask loads of questions and it felt more interactive and interesting hearing about the paintings and objects in detail instead of just reading a short note underneath. Usually, you only get a tour of the first section, Mexican Miracle Paintings, but I think if you ask nicely they will take you through both bits as they did with me.
Below are my views on each section in a little more detail....
THANK YOU
http://www.wellcomecollection.org/whats-on/exhibitions/infinitas-gracias.aspx
This section of the exhibition was a gallery of small paintings and tributes made by normal people who wanted to thank a Saint for granting a miracle they had asked for. Most of the paintings were on small bits of tin used for roofs as it was cheap and easily accessible, people would paint an image of the 'Miracle' (this could be anything, a marriage, child birth, baby surviving premature birth to a man surviving after being hit by a bus) and in the painting there would be a large image in strong, bright colour of a Saint. The paintings were then placed in the churches as a Thank You to the saint and left there.
More recently, people in northern Mexico have changed the way they pay their tributes. they still give 'evidence' of the 'miracle' but in a modern way. They place their actual wedding dresses, baby shoes, photos, small drawing on polystyrene chip plates and all sorts of little bits and bobs onto a wall at the church, if these fall down they are left where they lay. they never dust or clean the walls as they believe the objects are there to do what they need to do and shouldn't be messed with.
I really liked this, i thought it was delicate and sweet, I liked seeing what some people consider miracles and how they are so thankful and appreciate for the good things that happen to them or the ones they love.
PLEASE
http://www.wellcomecollection.org/whats-on/exhibitions/charmed-life.aspx
In this section of the exhibition there were glass cases of little amulets and objects used to ask for help, guidance, or protection.
I found this really interesting and some of the beliefs are are so lovely...
Little Shoes - hung on the front door frame when a baby is born to symbolise a new journey.
Acorns - hung in window frames to prevent lightning from striking the house.
All the amulets are so detailed and delicate. Some really strange, some beautiful and some very unappealing. It is a very interesting exhibition and I will be purchasing the book, written by the collector, Edward Lovett - Magic In Modern London.
Felicity Powell
Felicity Powell selected and displaced the objects used in the exhibition as well as using the collection she displayed a variety of some of her amazing wax on mirror art works.
She uses wax, her fingers and delicate tools to sculpt and move the wax into really beautiful soft pieces.
