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Sexual and Spiritual R-Evolution through Animism: The Feminine Semiotics of Puppetry

Aja Marneweck
Year of publication: 2016
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Abstract

This article examines resistant representational strategies of the feminine through animism-based creative practices like puppetry. It engages with critical issues of identity, representation, and embodiment in South Africa, proposing the Feminine Semiotics of animism as a new way to envision feminine form and theory. Key concepts such as liminality, leakage, and permeability are explored through animist puppetry, which acts as a sentient tool, revealing the constructs of being while blending imagination and form. By drawing on Trinh T. Minh-ha's concept of the "inappropriate other," the article interprets how women’s puppetry pushes the boundaries of political and sexual discourse, fostering new pathways for feminine resistance and empowerment. It highlights the work of female artists Nandipha Mntambo and Jill Joubert, demonstrating how contemporary animist practices offer fresh strategies for creative expression and intersectional critique.

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