2008

• Palestine 1948 - Remembering a past homeland
• Exhibition ’24-Hour Indonesia’
• Travelling Tales
• Tropenmuseum shows Haiti’s most important collection of vodou artefacts
• The Chocolate Expedition, photos by Frits Lemaire
• Tropenmuseum brings unique collection of vodou artefacts to the Netherlands
• Wayang Superstar - the theatre world of Ki Enthus Susmono

Tropenmuseum shows Haiti’s most important collection of vodou artefacts

Ceremonial flags, life-size Bizango warriors, colossal mirrors and complete altars contribute to the exhibition. Contrary to the negative image of vodou that melodramatic movies have printed on the minds of many people, the exhibition at the Tropenmuseum paints an impressive picture of a rich popular religion and the powerful imagination of its followers.

Vodou

Vodou evolved from slavery. It stems from various African religions, mixed with, amongst other things, aspects of Catholic rituals and images of saints. As the religion of the masses and the oppressed, vodou played a crucial role in the history of Haiti, from the first slave rebellion, which led to an independent black republic in 1804, to the present day. Despite long periods of suppression, vodou has remained a vibrant religion, practised by millions of Haitians on Haiti itself and in the diaspora. The exhibition paints a convincing picture of a complex but supple religion which has no dogma or hierarchy and allows its adherents plenty of freedom.

Art & Mysticism

The collection of artefacts presents a unique picture of the creativity of the practitioners of vodou. Almost all the objects are dedicated to the Lwa, the countless gods and spirits that populate the vodou pantheon. Often the Lwa are portrayed as Catholic saints with whom they are identified. Sometimes they are also conveyed by graphic drawings called veves. The embroidered flags, sculptures and decorated pitchers and mirrors frequently have a sacred meaning or are ‘charged’ with magic powers.

A large part of the exhibition is devoted to images and objects from Bizango secret societies, which go back to the days of slavery and the violent struggle for freedom. The images of dozens of Bizango spirits, though a bleak reminder of this source of chaos and struggle, are deeply impressive as works of art.

The collection

Marianne Lehmann is a Swiss collector who married a Haitian fifty years ago and settled in Haiti. Twenty years ago she began, almost by chance, to purchase art objects with vodou associations. As she became increasingly drawn to the images, flags and ritual objects, she began to feel responsible for the preservation of this specific cultural heritage. She wanted to save the objects from being lost forever to art dealers. The collection is currently administered by a Haitian foundation, which is also raising money to found a museum on the island in the future. The Tropenmuseum is supporting its efforts.

The tour

The exhibition opened in Geneva on 5 December 2007. The Tropenmuseum is the second museum in Europe to host this spectacular collection. In 2009, after leaving Amsterdam, it will be transferred to the Museum of World Culture in Gothenburg, in 2010 it goes to the Ethnological Museum in Berlin and finally in 2011 to the Űberseemuseum in Bremen. At the end of 2011 it returns to Haiti, where it will be given a permanent place in the new, planned museum.

Events

•  1 November: Museum night and exhibition ‘première’. For more information and tickets visit: www.n8.nl.

Publication

The exhibition catalogue Vodou, kunst & mystiek (Vodou, Art & Mysticism) features articles from participants in the project and many stunning photographs of pieces from the collection.

About the Tropenmuseum
The Tropenmuseum presents, researches and promotes knowledge of and interaction between cultures. It offers experiences for a broad and diverse public, utilising all museum resources: exhibitions, collections and expertise, publications, the historic building, educative and other activities. The museum of the Royal Tropical Institute is internationally active in the field of culture and development.

Address:
Linnaeusstraat 2
Amsterdam
+31 (0)20-568 8200
tropenmuseum@kit.nl
www.tropenmuseum.nl  

The Tropenmuseum is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm.
On 5, 24 and 31 December the museum is open until 3 pm.
Closed on 1 January, 30 April, 5 May and 25 December.

Note for the editor, not for publication
For more information please contact  the department of Public & Presentation, Lene Grooten, tel. +31-(0)20 - 568 84 22 or by email at l.grooten@kit.nl. After the end of Septemer: Anna Brolsma at a.brolsma@kit.nl.

Press presentation: The press presentation is on wednesday 29 October at 11.00 o’clock. Sign up through a.brolsma@kit.nl.
Image material is available on www.tropenmuseum.nl, press section. Photo’s: Johnathan Watts, MEG

Press photos

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