Abstract
Cinthia Marcelle’s “Meditação da ferida ou a escola das facas [versão Nakoada]” (2022) delves into the realm of cultural heritage through a thought-provoking composition. The wooden boxes, hinges, Styrofoam, and velvet form vitrines that, notably, contain only the negatives or molds of Indigenous artifacts. The deliberate absence of the actual artifacts challenges the conventional museum display, creating a powerful dialogue on representation and cultural significance. Marcelle’s work invites viewers to reflect on the void left by historical narratives, emphasizing the intricate relationship between absence, cultural heritage, and the museological context in which artifacts are typically presented.
Cinthia Marcelle’s “Meditação da ferida ou a escola das facas [versão Nakoada]” from 2022 is a composition of wooden boxes, hinges, Styrofoam, and velvet with variable dimensions. The piece consists of vitrines or boxes that house the negatives or molds of artifacts. Strikingly, the actual artifacts are absent, leaving only the void or negative space of the artifact’s mold visible. These artifacts are Indigenous instruments, creating a powerful contrast with the museum-like aesthetics of the vitrines. “Meditação da ferida” prompts reflection on absence, representation, and the cultural context of the artifacts within a museological framework.
Citation
Marcelle, Cinthia. 2022. 'Meditação da ferida ou a escola das facas [Meditation on the Wound or the School of Knives](Nakoada version), 2022'. Dispossessions in the Americas. https://staging.dia.upenn.edu/en/art/ABRA011/

