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 brings unique collection of vodou artefacts to the Netherlands

Vibrantly coloured ceremonial flags, life-size Bizango warriors, gigantic mirrors and fully intact altars will be on show at the exhibition. Members of the public will encounter a religion that is rich in history and tradition, with unique rituals and fascinating art objects. Vodou is presented in a probing and exploratory setting, which is far removed from its cliché-ridden Hollywood image.

 

Vodou began with the forced settlement of African slaves on Haiti. Essentially, it is a mix of African religions, enhanced with elements of Catholic rituals. As the religion of the masses and the oppressed, vodou has played a defining role in the history of Haiti, from the first slave uprising that led to an independent black republic in 1804 up to the present day. Despite long periods of suppression, vodou has remained a living religion, practised by millions of Haitians in Haiti and elsewhere. It is a complex but versatile religion without dogma or hierarchy – a religion that allows its followers ample freedom, also in artistic expression.

 

Magic powers

A large part of the exhibition at the Tropenmuseum features images and objects from the Bizango secret societies. These stem from the slave era and the violent struggle for freedom. The life-size statues of various Bizango spirits are a daunting reminder of past chaos and struggle and, at the same time, are impressive as art objects.

Almost all the items in the exhibition are dedicated to the Lwas, the innumerable gods and spirits that populate the vodou pantheon. Often, Lwas are portrayed as the Catholic saints with whom they are identified. Sometimes they are depicted by graphic signs called veves. Many of the embroidered flags, sculptures, decorated pitchers and mirrors have a sacred significance or are ‘charged’ with magic powers.

The collection

The exhibition has been assembled from the collection of Swiss-born Marianne Lehmann, who married a Haitian half a century ago and made her home on Haiti. In the late 1980s she began, almost by chance, to buy vodou-related objects. As she became increasingly intrigued by the images, flags and ritual objects, she began to feel responsible for the preservation of this cultural legacy. Lehmann wants to save the objects from being lost forever to art dealers. The collection is therefore currently being administered by a Haitian foundation, which is also raising funds to found a museum on the island in the near future. The Tropenmuseum is supporting its efforts.

The tour

The exhibition Vodou, un art de vivre opened in Geneva on 5 December 2007. The Tropenmuseum is the second museum in Europe to host this spectacular collection. After leaving Amsterdam, the exhibition goes to the Museum of World Culture in Gothenburg in 2009, then to the Ethnological Museum in Berlin in 2010, and finally to the Überseemuseum in Bremen in 2011. At the end of 2011 it returns to Haiti, where it will be accorded a permanent place in the future new museum.

Catalogue

The richly illustrated catalogue Vodou, kunst & mystiek uit Haïti (Vodou, Art & Mysticism from Haiti) was compiled by Jacques Hainard, Philippe Mathez and Olivier Schinz and is published by KIT Publishers. ISBN 9789068327441, € 24.50, 176 pages.

About the Tropenmuseum
The Tropenmuseum presents, researches and promotes knowledge-sharing and interaction between cultures. It offers mind-broadening encounters for a wide-ranging audience by utilising all the resources at its disposal: exhibitions, collections, expertise, publications, a historical setting and educational and other activities. The museum of the Royal Tropical Institute is internationally active in all aspects of culture and development. The Tropenmuseum is supported by the BankGiro Lottery.

Visiting 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 press, not for publication
For more information please contact Anna Brolsma, tel. +31-(0)20 - 568 84 22 or by email: a.brolsma@kit.nl.

Visual material is available via www.tropenmuseum.nl, under press. Photographs: Johnathan Watts, MEG
Press presentation: 11 a.m. on Wednesday 29 October. Please sign up by mailing a.brolsma@kit.nl.

Press photos

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