“Healing: A Cultural Exploration”

An Exhibition of Medicinal and Spiritual Artifacts from Around the World

CURATED BY CARINE FABIUS & JEANNIE WINSTON NOGAI

Craft and Folk Art Museum

5814 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036

January 21 – April 15, 2007

Photography by Pascal Giacomini

Introduction

A multi-cultural exhibition exploring the concept of healing in all its forms — medicinal, spiritual, and emotional — through the perspective of diverse cultural traditions, Healing: A Cultural Exploration examines the ritual objects and symbols used around the globe within curative traditions that aim to relieve the troubles of individuals, families, and communities.
The exhibit demonstrates universal patterns of belief related to healing that connect people across ethnicities as well as illuminating the ancient tribal practices that have a place in contemporary life.On display were over 120 sacred objects and artifacts, both ancient and contemporary, as used in rituals around the world and in over 20 cultures, including an 18th century Sumatran Book of Medicine Magic; a Laotian Buddha for home protection; an African fetish from the Songe people to protect against smallpox; and a Jewish Italian cradle amulet.The artifacts in the exhibit were divided into categories, such as divination, invocation, protection, cleansing, and more. Also included was contemporary artwork relating to the subject of healing as seen by a juried selection of Los Angeles artists.“All human beings have an innate urge to heal themselves,” according to curators Carine Fabius and Jeannie Winston Nogai. “As we researched this exhibition, fascinating similarities among seemingly disparate cultures surfaced, suggesting a global inter-connectedness among all people in the realm of health and well-being.”About CAFAM
The Craft and Folk Art Museum (CAFAM) is a Los Angeles nonprofit cultural arts organization dedicated to the public presentation and preservation of folk arts and contemporary craft. Founded in 1965, originally as “The Egg and The Eye” by the late Edith Wyle, who passionately promoted traditional artisans and the virtue of handmade art, the Museum opened in 1974. As a local Museum with global reach, CAFAM seeks to promote international goodwill and global understanding among its citizens. The Museum works to preserve and strengthen the folk culture of our community based on its believe that the quality of urban life is directly related to the vitality and diversity of viewpoints and traditions.