Jenna Kaës

With Jenna Kaës, students dive into the ancient craft of ceroplastics—a wax-based technique deeply rooted in Sicilian ritual traditions. Far from being just a material for molds, wax is explored here as a substance in its own right, capable of shaping sculptures and embodying symbolic meaning.

The practice of modeling wax dates back to Roman times, when wax figurines were created for domestic decoration and magical purposes. Across centuries, wax was used for votive objects, funeral masks, ex-votos, and anatomical models. In Sicily, these practices left strong traces: from the cerae pictae described by Pliny, to the anatomical waxes of Giulio Gaetano Zummo in the 17th century, up to the ex-votos of Melilli—still carried in procession each May as testimonies of faith, ritual, and artisanal skill.

This workshop re-invests a material often considered modest, bringing attention to its symbolic density and its deep connection to Mediterranean culture. By experimenting with techniques such as molding, direct sculpture, and coloring, students were invited to reflect on making as a form of thinking, and to question what “technology” means when seen through the lens of tradition and embodied gestures.

The experience was enriched by visits to the Museo Bellomo, where students closely observed votive wax sculptures, and by a dialogue with anthropologist Luigi Lombardo in Palazzolo, who shared insights into the historical and ritual significance of wax in Sicilian culture.

The workshop concluded with a collective ritual moment, during which the votive wax sculptures created by the students were carried in procession through the streets of Ortigia, sparking the curiosity and wonder of passersby.

The workshop became both a hands-on and conceptual journey: exploring how wax, with its mutable, fragile, and luminous qualities, can bridge ancient rituals and contemporary artistic inquiry.

This workshop was made possible thanks to the support of the Digital Education Hubs (DEH) project, funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU.