SPIRITUAL TOURISM

SCARLETT ROUGE

AMENTA ROUGE Exhibition

2024

3 700€

  • Oil on canvas

    Dimension : 126 x 90cm

  • Delivery 1-2 weeks

    Shipping price on request

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This painting contains numerous layers, making it difficult to know where to begin. Scarlett Rouge’s observation of the 'madness' of tourism began in the early 2000s while living in Paris, where she often walked past the Louvre surrounded by tourists all focused on their cameras, positioning themselves for the perfect shot, yet seeming disconnected from the moment.

Later, her experience in Bali, once deemed paradise, revealed a different reality—a place overrun by commercialism with warnings of health hazards ignored by many tourists and expats. Despite the issues affecting locals, her acquaintances seemed oblivious as they indulged in leisure activities, overlooking the impact of their presence.

The gravity of this issue became apparent during a visit to Tulum, where spirituality and environmental consciousness seemed paramount, yet were paradoxically overshadowed by the destruction caused by tourist activities hidden behind resort walls.

We've lost sight of our connection to the Earth, viewing ourselves as mere tourists capturing moments through phone cameras without consideration for the damage we cause. This painting depicts tourists at the Louvre, religious pilgrims, and a fig tree emerging from a sacred turtle. The turtle symbolizes Unci Maka, Lakota for Grandmother Earth, teaching us to tread our paths peacefully.

The impaled woman represents humanity, often choosing to idolize destruction rather than take action to rectify our actions. Despite this, Mother Earth, akin to Mother Mary, continues to sacrifice herself to nurture us.