NEW ART PROJECT

On the challenges of reinventing the Witch

My new photographic series reimagines the witch in surprising contexts, blending reality with the surreal. Through a minimalist, abstract approach and inspired by Föhr's myths, this work offers a fresh perspective on the witch as a symbol of resistance and transformation. Influenced by critical analyses, this series proposes an alternative by positioning the witch as a figure with its undecipherable codes and rites of an incomprehensible scope.

Highly symbolic and political, two radically different perspectives on the witch clash in contemporary mythology, and I sought to contribute to this ongoing discourse through this unique project:

One contemporary representation of the witch is built around new spiritual beliefs and practices. This modern version integrates elements of self-exploration and personal development. While these practices sometimes aim to encourage individual empowerment, they can paradoxically reinforce neoliberal logics by emphasizing personal responsibility and the commercialization of spiritual practices. Thus, while the traditionally subversive figure of the witch opposes established power structures, this more individualistic version can align with the same market dynamics it claims to critique.

These new spiritual practices, such as neo-shamanism, the law of attraction, transhumanism, or Human Design, tend to reinforce neoliberal logic by emphasizing individualism and personal responsibility at the expense of collective issues. By focusing on personal development and the quest for individual meaning, these practices can depoliticize social issues by transforming them into personal challenges, thereby reinforcing rather than challenging existing neoliberal structures. These practices often exploit a selective interpretation of scientific knowledge to legitimize ideas that are not based on solid empirical foundations. By co-opting scientific advances to fit spiritual or pseudo-scientific narratives, they undermine the rigor and credibility of research while seeking to attract followers. This instrumentalization of scientific progress promotes ideological agendas while obscuring the true collective and societal issues.

In response to this critical approach, another contemporary figure of the witch emerges as a powerful symbol of resistance against established power structures, particularly capitalist and patriarchal norms. Influenced by critical analyses such as those proposed by Silvia Federici in Caliban and the Witch and Mona Chollet in Witches, neowitches, forming strong connections with the art world, reuse this historical imagery to critique social hierarchies and neoliberal logic. This reinterpretation transforms the witch into a symbol of social and political resistance, highlighting critiques of neoliberal systems that prioritize individualism and commercialization.

R.B. Ginsburg and M. Foucault analyze the witch as a figure of oppression by highlighting the repression of powerful women and social control mechanisms, avoiding pseudoscientific interpretations. Their approach provides insight into the power dynamics and surveillance structures that have shaped this historical figure.

In this perspective, art plays a crucial role in enriching our human understanding. Art complements science by offering emotional, creative, and critical insights, allowing for a deeper exploration of power structures and social dynamics. While scientific methods focus on objectivity and rigor, art provides a personal and subjective dimension that can reveal truths and perspectives otherwise inaccessible. This synergy between art and science fosters a more nuanced critical reflection on social systems while strengthening collective engagement and ethical commitment.

Proposing a photographic series that slightly deviates from the usual representations of the witch allows for the subversion of stereotypes and the recontextualization of this figure in contemporary narratives. By playing with traditional visual codes while introducing unexpected elements, the artist can question the social and cultural constructions surrounding the witch. This approach can also make the figure more accessible and relevant to modern audiences, inviting reflection on gender roles, power dynamics, and social structures.

By diverting from classical representations, the series can also highlight the multiple facets of the witch, not only as a symbol of resistance but also as an icon of transformation, knowledge, and freedom. This reinterpretation broadens the understanding of the witch, revealing how she can be reappropriated to critique oppressive systems and inspire new and more subversive forms of emancipation.

Ultimately, this artistic approach not only challenges viewers' expectations but also opens up spaces for dialogue around current social issues. It serves a critical agenda by deconstructing established norms and offering new perspectives on the struggles for social justice and equality.
What if the witch today defies not just magic, but our societal norms? My new photographic series reimagines her in surprising contexts, blending reality with the surreal. Through a minimalist, abstract approach and inspired by Föhr's myths, this work aims to offer a perspective on the witch as a symbol of resistance and transformation 🌟

Made with Emely Braren & Studio.Sintje on Utersum Beach and using photographs made at Friesen-Museum: Dr.-Carl-Häberlin