The Cabinet of Material Curiosities:
The alchemy of traditional practices in Senegal
My project utilizes a methodology rooted in notation, choreography, performances, and material exploration & testing. Inspiration is drawn from revered figures within the cultural fabric of Senegal—the Marabouts, Saltigue, griots, and Laman—who, as mediums, intercessors, and storytellers, play pivotal roles in shaping the spiritual and narrative landscape. It is from these influences that the project derive strategies to compile and articulate data, similar to assembling a cabinet of curiosities. This symbolic cabinets becomes a vessel for the diverse elements, ingredients, rituals, and cultural artifacts encountered during the research process.
Material analysis serves as a critical tactic, examining the inherent properties of ritual elements which are unconventional building materials such as rice, milk, ash, and others. This approach involves scrutinizing the tactile, structural, and symbolic qualities of these materials.
In the realm of this architectural exploration, the project takes on the ambitious task of speculating on the materialization of moments of liminal space, particularly within the context of ritual practices. Liminal space, often the threshold between different states or realms, holds a profound significance in various cultural and spiritual contexts. The architecture, as a medium of expression, aims to capture and embody these ephemeral moments.
