Heidi Powell

7.22 Acts of Ritual and Random Acts: A Rediscovery of Arts Practice through Omikuji (Paper)

Heidi Powell – University of Florida, USA

Abstract:

Histories and traditions as rediscovered territories involve revisiting and reinterpreting past practices through contemporary lenses, especially within historical and collective memory and arts practice. Omikuji, the Japanese practice of drawing paper fortunes at temples and shrines, offers a rich metaphor for arts practice. In omikuji, individuals randomly select a slip of paper that bears a fortune, often a mix of positive and challenging predictions, inviting contemplation, acceptance, or action based on what is revealed. This practice is steeped in tradition yet invites new interpretations with each draw, much like the way artists revisit historical techniques, symbols, or narratives to uncover fresh meaning. Exploring the concepts of Omikuji where ritual and spontaneity act as elements of creative practice, and where planned and unplanned variations become essential to the creative process and outcomes. As artists we often engage with the past, not for exact replication but to gain insight, reflect on actions tied to ancestral beliefs and yet reflect on what resonates differently in today’s world. This traditional act of rediscovery allows us to build a dialogue with the past, drawing upon the unpredictable and sometimes hidden fortunes within traditions to fuel innovation and new connections in the present. Omikuji serves as an entry point into a deeper understanding of historical and cultural connections in art education, creates a space that fosters resilience, explores intuition, and adaptability and reshapes how we perceive acts rooted in tradition as metaphors for creative practice.

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