Gain of Function: New Mutations/Old Traditions/Collective Effervescence

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Gain of Function: New Mutations/Old Traditions/Collective Effervescence is a project led by Cape Girardeau, Missouri, USA-based artist Emily Denlinger that speaks to the role of art, ritual, and resilience. Building on her own work, Denlinger engaged with thirty-nine artists at the 2025 edition of Kolaj Fest New Orleans to make locative collage photographs in an artist-created landscape inspired by global masking traditions. The resulting artworks are presented in this zine published by Kolaj Institute. "The project functions as 21st century folklore with each character potentially representing a magical creature or masked performer in some yet-to-be-imagined ritual," wrote Kolaj Institute Director Ric Kasini Kadour. "Like the odd, creature-like figures of early 20th century Surrealists, they, too, are a response to deeply troubled times and offer us the opportunity to find a collective effervescence to see us through them."

ABOUT THE PROJECT

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DETAILS: 20 pages | 7"x5" | perfect bound booklet | ISBN 978-1-927587-76-8 | 2025 | Published by Kolaj Institute & Kasini House