The Blachère Foundation in Bonnieux is currently hosting "Sensibilités Vaudou" (Voodoo Sensibilities), an groundbreaking exhibition running until September 20 that examines the widely misunderstood religious phenomenon of voodoo through the lens of contemporary African art. The show aims to reveal the intimate and political dimensions of this spiritual practice while dispelling common misconceptions and fantasies.
Few religious phenomena have been as fantasized, essentialized, and spectacularized as voodoo. Hollywood has been grinding it through its mill for decades – "White Zombie," considered the first film of the genre, was released in 1932. The figure of the living dead continues to fascinate Western audiences seeking thrills and exoticism. While cinema and cultural industries have primarily focused on Haitian voodoo due to geographical proximity, very few have shown interest in its African roots, particularly in Nigeria, Benin, and Togo.
Following in the footsteps of Mati Diop's excellent film "Atlantics," where worker spirits haunt a Senegalese developer, "Sensibilités Vaudou" approaches this religion through its contemporary hybridizations. Refusing all sensationalism, the exhibition traces its magical footsteps, unfolds its spiritual and political dimensions, and demonstrates how these elements nourish the imagination of African artists.
The exhibition journey extends beyond a simple dive into voodoo culture, navigating between secular traditions and artistic resurgences along the delicate line between the profane and the sacred. The most striking and monumental illustration contrasts authentic Egunguns – powerful, flamboyant tunics used in ancestor worship – with Prince Toffa's version made from cut-up cans, titled "Egungun." This juxtaposition represents the ghosts of our modernity, showing how traditional spiritual practices evolve and adapt in contemporary artistic expression.
One of the featured works, "The Calling" by Nigerian artist Samuel Nnorom, serves as a refuge-like artwork that embodies the exhibition's approach to presenting voodoo not as entertainment or exotic spectacle, but as a living spiritual tradition that continues to inspire and influence contemporary African artists. The exhibition successfully challenges Western preconceptions while honoring the authentic spiritual and cultural significance of voodoo practices in their original African context.
