Inside the Cult of Santa Muerte (Saint Death)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2865152/Back-street-exorcisms-tequila-bullets-Breaking-Bad-Inside-Lady-Death-cult-world-s-fastest-growing-religion-Vatican-brands-infernal.html

"I felt as if I had been drugged"

This is the exact same feeling I had after emotionally intense "steps" in the Neocatechumenal Way. A hazy mind but a feeling of strange calm, that I had overcome something huge and horrible and now had received happiness from God through the Community.

Ah. Making some sense.

What a great way to make people believe your group is the only reason they can feel happiness or express love!

REMEMBER TO ENTER THE BLAKE PRIZE 2016/17

FOR RELIGIOUS ART:

http://www.blakeprize.com/

Jason Hernandez Art

This stuff is really interesting. Definitely the sort of direction I would like my work to go in, similar in a way to David Lynch's stuff but more refined in its' nature.

HOW TO START YOUR OWN CULT

A hilarious video on how to become a cult leader.

So very accurate.

When cray-cray Christians get 'demonic possession' all wrong

This is one of the most bizarre mash-ups I've seen on the internet. Clearly a new age cult-like group inducing followers to vulnerable mind-states through intense group activity, complete unleashing of emotions and inhibitions etc. Leaves people very open to brainwashing in the post-active state.

A man called Alan Miller in Queensland, Australia, is presently employing similar techniques to acquire ever more followers, as they get understandably seduced by a man who seems to cure them of their emotional and psychological pains by forcing said emotions out in a public setting, and validating their pain while instructing them how to go about their lives.

In ACTUAL yoga, the practice is entirely within oneself, calm and orderly, stretching all the muscles one can in a safe and progressive manner, and getting into a 'flow' state which oneself also dictates 'within'. The following 'calm' session is again only about looking inwards and observing- a mild meditation. If you're ever being preached to or coerced in this part- you know you're getting involved in a cult. Back away, back very far away.

Anyway, good source for video stills and portraits. Brilliant.

Images inspiring my image ideas of present.

New ideas: APPROACHES TO CONSTRUCTING FINAL WORK

1.       Draw series of portraits- maybe 12 (3 on each side of a central square in final display, or 6 on either side of the square).  Nothing else included! Leave space for other stuff. 

2.       Ensure at least 1 image each to describe isolation, crisis, community welcoming, becoming like community, bliss, connection, psychedelia, intense personal relationship transcendental, vision of higher spiritual ascendence, broken soul, dazed appearance, groupthink, shattered identity, anger. (looking at process of cult involvement)

3.       In the original portrait series ensure strong emotions, undistracting backgrounds e.g. use those patterns from Steve’s photos. 

4.       Get zinc cut into diamond or circle for CENTRAL piece. Must be simplified. Perhaps including cactuses, headstones, nike shoes? 

5.       Remember to keep micro parts of installation relevant to each other and suitable to scatter or arrange- depending on suitability.