When I went to the Bonfim Church (Salvador, Bahia, Brazil) for the first time and saw those plaster legs and arms hanging from the ceiling, I remember finding it scary. Then they explained to me that those pieces were a thank you for a grace achieved. Most of the time, linked to health. They are the ex-votos. I remembered them these days, perhaps because the world is sick and Brazil needs a cure not only for one but for two problems: the virus and a genocidal and denialist government.
The picture of the illustrated Church came to mind. And I thought it would be a way to undo that first impression and translate that tradition more sympathetically. I got excited to produce and started cutting paper to assemble the model.
In my mind, it would be an afternoon's fun, but, it lasted a very pleasant work week. I mainly used images from Google Street View to be able to build (in a simplified way) all sides of the Church, including the ceiling.
I started researching and saw that ex-votos are an abbreviation of Latin: ex-votos suscepto ("for the promise made"). Which is a very old tradition all over the world and goes far beyond those sculptures. They can be drawings, paintings, pieces of clothing, anything that symbolizes the fulfilled request.
One day after starting the work, I saw the news that, on the same day that I started the project, the 4 bells of the Basilica started working together again after 30 years. I hope this is a sign that, soon, we can have something to celebrate.
The picture of the illustrated Church came to mind. And I thought it would be a way to undo that first impression and translate that tradition more sympathetically. I got excited to produce and started cutting paper to assemble the model.
In my mind, it would be an afternoon's fun, but, it lasted a very pleasant work week. I mainly used images from Google Street View to be able to build (in a simplified way) all sides of the Church, including the ceiling.
I started researching and saw that ex-votos are an abbreviation of Latin: ex-votos suscepto ("for the promise made"). Which is a very old tradition all over the world and goes far beyond those sculptures. They can be drawings, paintings, pieces of clothing, anything that symbolizes the fulfilled request.
One day after starting the work, I saw the news that, on the same day that I started the project, the 4 bells of the Basilica started working together again after 30 years. I hope this is a sign that, soon, we can have something to celebrate.
