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Amoelbarroco, Decimononic and… fortune-telling?
Irene and I have known Viveka Goyanes for many years. She is an explorer of the intersections between fashion and art, and we spoke with her about her alter ego Amoelbarroco, Steampunk jewelry and many other topics in March (this interview is available here: ‘Steampunk jewelry tonight with… Viveka Goyanes’).
As we share common interests, we started to think about further collaboration possibilities and an idea popped-up: Victorian occultism and spiritism! So we decided to go ahead with a photo session, but covering this topic in one session only would be complicated; this is why we preferred to focus on fortune-telling, as this was a very popular discipline in the Victorian era.
Amoelbarroco and Decimononic - Fortune-telling
1.- A brief intro: fortune-telling in XIX century
As Wikipedia goes about Fortune-telling:
Fortune-telling is the practice of predicting information about a person’s life. The scope of fortune-telling is in principle identical with the practice of divination. The difference is that divination is the term used for predictions considered part of a religious ritual, invoking deities or spirits, while the term fortune-telling implies a less serious or formal setting, even one of popular culture, where belief in occult workings behind the prediction is less prominent than the concept of suggestion, spiritual or practical advisory or affirmation.
Despite divination has been considered a sin in Islam, most Christian denominations and Judaism, it was a very common practice in the XIX century (normally linked to Gypsies). In fact, divination methods from non-Western cultures, such as the I Ching, were also adopted in western popular culture during this period.
2.- Fortune teller portrayal: attire by Amoelbarroco and fine jewelry by Decimononic
May this be Steampunk? May this be uchronic, anachronic, retrofuturistic? Honestly speaking we do not know. However, if there is anything we know for sure is that this is pure Amoelbarroco aesthetics with a pinch of Decimononic style; epic win, the way we see it. Judge for yourself.
2.1. Cartomancy
Cartomancy is one of the oldest fortune-telling techniques in the Western world. Thus, it is relevant to point out that it probably has Eastern roots as playing cards were introduced into Europe in the XIV century. Cartomancy using standard playing cards was the most popular form of providing fortune-telling card readings in the XIX century and the most common method of cartomancy using a standard playing deck was referred to as the Wheel of Fortune.
Steampunk jewelry tonight with… Viveka Goyanes (aka Amoelbarroco)
1.- The interviewee
Viveka, as you already know this is a very special interview for us. We have been friends for years and we are very thankful for your support. First of all let’s introduce you to our readers with your profile in Tumblr, for example; it goes ‘Barrocker, crápula, delirium tremens, aesthete, dandybilly, a pirate´s song. Obsessed with Venice, past times, refinement and silent cinema (for example)’. It’s quite cryptic and mysterious… but you know that already.
2.- The Interview
2.1.- A bit more about Viveka Goyanes (aka Amoelbarroco)
Q.- You were born in A Coruña, a city in the North-West of Spain, but you have lived in other Spanish cities such us Pontevedra, Madrid and, currently, Salamanca. So… would you say that living in different places has influenced you?
A.- I could say I usually carry my world with me to every place where I move to, and this world grows, inevitably, assimilating pieces of each city as memories, mental souvenirs. So yes, I think I’ve been influenced by all these different places in one way or another, also by the cities I had the chance to visit as a traveller, specially Venice.
Q.- Fashion and Art meet at Amoelbarroco. Tell us about your alter ego, please.
A.- Amoelbarroco will be 10 years in 2013! This alter ego is a sort of idea, signature or concept created to hold all my creative activities, most related to art+fashion stuff lately. A significant part of my life has been dedicated to the construction of this long-term project.
Q.- Your designs have been awarded several times (First Price Creación Joven Injuve, Second Price Sculpture Young Creators Salamanca, etc.) and your talent has attracted a wide array of collaborators that have helped to shape Amoelbarroco as a multidisciplinary project (fashion, photography, video and sculpture just to say a few). Can you tell us about your experience building such an invaluable network? Do you have any tips for jewelers like us?
A.- It happens that people with similar interests and taste feel attracted to each other, nowadays the Internet offers us good chances of meeting kindreds and work together. From a looong time ago I regularly collaborate with friends that have their own creative projects. I like to work with people I feel comfortable with, sharing my ideas and trying new ways to represent them, I also feel fortunate to be able to develop my work this way.
A good tip is not being afraid of trying new things, maybe you mightn’t be happy with the first outcome, but research is a good way to achieve good results.
Q.- From our point of view, many of your designs would perfectly fit Steampunk aesthetics. Have you been told this before?
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