Miles Greenberg Explores Ancestral Vodun Rituals in Benin for Performance Art Research

In early 2026, Montreal-native performance artist and sculptor Miles Greenberg embarked on a research journey and pilgrimage to Benin, West Africa. He participated in the Vodun Days festival in Ouidah, a coastal city recognized historically as a key location in the transatlantic slave trade and regarded as the birthplace of Vodun. During his visit, Greenberg uncovered his West African heritage, which influences his art that examines bodily impulses shaped by ancestral connections. Vodun, often sensationalized in the West, features rituals with masks, dances, and songs that honor nature spirits and the deceased. Greenberg sees similarities between these traditions and his own intensive performances, which emphasize the body over extended periods. His work has been showcased at renowned locations such as the Louvre and the Venice Biennale, where he seeks transformation through his art. He asserts that physiological responses emerge during prolonged physical engagement and should be embraced. He notes that Vodun rituals involve dynamic interactions, with audiences contributing to a collective energy that aligns with his artistic vision. This narrative is featured in the Spring/Summer 2026 edition of AnOther Magazine, celebrating its 25th anniversary.