Luis Sahagun

Instructions for Soul Searching: Facing the South
Davidson College | 2026

A ceremonial performance grounded in curanderismo and the Mexica and Yucatec medicine wheel. Framed as a series of actions and spoken instructions, the work operates as an enacted ceremony of soul retrieval.

What does it mean to search one’s soul now? What medicine is necessary for the times we are living in?

At its center is an altar functioning as a mobile botanica, a working space of ancient remedies for spiritual illnesses such as fright, susto, and soul loss. The altar contains medicinal plants and materials including copal resin, ruda (rue), rosemary, sage, flowers, water, and a handmade agua florida prepared specifically for this performance as a cleansing agent for the energetic body. Davidson College students from the Curanderx Aesthetics class participate, activating a metaphysical portal alongside the main performer. The portal is opened through Indigenous sound technologies, drum, whistle, and conch, which function as navigational instruments, clearing pathways and calling guidance as the body moves according to the directional logic of the medicine wheel. Facing South, the performer searches for the soul and summons the Nahual as guide.

Alternative Medicine: Healing Remedies for Harmful Times is co-curated by John Corso-Esquivel, associate professor of art and Lia Rose Newman, director/curator and adjunct assistant professor.

Images 1: courtesy of the artist
Image 2-4: Ernesto Moreno Photography

From My Palo Santo Series

Thank you to everyone that attended and participated in my first lecture limpia. Much gratitude to and inviting me into your community. I had such a wonderful time!

Thank you to the student that helped me with the set up and packing up all the huevitos!