Description

Carlos Quinto Kemm’s Prevalence of Ritual invites viewers into a shadowed cavern where time seems suspended, and ancient rites unfold in hushed secrecy. At the forefront, an aged crone—her visage etched with the lines of countless moons—grasps a potion bottle. Tendrils of vapor ascend from its mouth, curling and twisting through the air, as if carrying whispered incantations to unseen spirits above. Her demeanor is one of solemn purpose, embodying the weight of traditions passed down through generations.

Beside her stands a young woman, her face bearing the delicate features reminiscent of a Goya portrait. In her hands, she presents the head of a mythical beast, an offering in this clandestine ceremony. The beast’s eyes, though lifeless, seem to hold stories of old, tales of heroism and sacrifice. The interplay between the crone and the maiden suggests the cyclical nature of life and the transmission of wisdom from elder to initiate.

The cave’s walls are adorned with petroglyphs, carvings from myriad cultures and eras, each symbol adding to the tapestry of mystery that envelops the scene. These ancient markings serve as silent witnesses to the ritual, their meanings perhaps lost to time but their presence a testament to humanity’s enduring quest for connection with the divine.

Kemm’s masterful collage technique weaves together these elements, creating a tableau that is both timeless and evocative. The dimly lit setting, combined with the rich textures and layered imagery, draws the viewer into a world where the boundaries between the physical and the spiritual blur, and where the Prevalence of Ritual continues to shape the human experience.