GoddessofWisdom
October 8th, 2001, 07:37 PM
Sunday, 7th October, 2001.
A Former Swiss Diplomat Battles to Save Voodoo Art Collection
A 64 year-old former Swiss diplomat has become the unlikely saviour of the sacred art of Voodoo, reports the Guardian. Marianne Lehmann has been collecting Voodoo art for the last eighteen years and is now seeking funds to establish a museum to safeguard her unique collection.
Lehmann has amassed over 20,000 artifacts ranging from ritual drums to skull covered gravestones. Dismissing Voodoo's dark reputation, Lehmann said, "Voodoo is the soul of Haiti. It's the soul of the nation."
Acknowledging the value of Lehmann's collection, Haitian art historian Anne Lescot commented, "There's no other collection like it in Haiti. It's part of the world's cultural heritage, but it's in danger of rotting away."
After three years of lobbying for aid, Lehmann secured £13,000 (US$20,000) from UNESCO towards indexing and photographing the art works, but it is estimated that another £20,000 (US$30,000) is needed to produce a complete catalogue. Meanwhile the collection lies exposed to the ravages of time and the voracious insect life of Haiti.
"The collection is definitely in danger," said Lescot, "there is no kind of conservation and many of the objects made of wood or fabric have been damaged by insects." But Lehmann remains determined: "We must save these things for the country," she said, "It is the Haitian heritage."
A Former Swiss Diplomat Battles to Save Voodoo Art Collection
A 64 year-old former Swiss diplomat has become the unlikely saviour of the sacred art of Voodoo, reports the Guardian. Marianne Lehmann has been collecting Voodoo art for the last eighteen years and is now seeking funds to establish a museum to safeguard her unique collection.
Lehmann has amassed over 20,000 artifacts ranging from ritual drums to skull covered gravestones. Dismissing Voodoo's dark reputation, Lehmann said, "Voodoo is the soul of Haiti. It's the soul of the nation."
Acknowledging the value of Lehmann's collection, Haitian art historian Anne Lescot commented, "There's no other collection like it in Haiti. It's part of the world's cultural heritage, but it's in danger of rotting away."
After three years of lobbying for aid, Lehmann secured £13,000 (US$20,000) from UNESCO towards indexing and photographing the art works, but it is estimated that another £20,000 (US$30,000) is needed to produce a complete catalogue. Meanwhile the collection lies exposed to the ravages of time and the voracious insect life of Haiti.
"The collection is definitely in danger," said Lescot, "there is no kind of conservation and many of the objects made of wood or fabric have been damaged by insects." But Lehmann remains determined: "We must save these things for the country," she said, "It is the Haitian heritage."