Espiritismo, Theater and Trance of Maria Lionza.

• Prize
• Photographer
  Troi Anderson , United States
• Socials
• Website
  http://www.troianderson.com

Espiritismo, the practice of communication with spirits through trance possession, is found throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. In Venezuela, a mythological goddess figure of ancient indigenous legend -Maria Lionza- is the focal point for gatherings within the jungle of sacred Mount Sorte. This religious movement, still regarded by many as a cult, is composed in perfect reflection of Venezuela's own multicultural history. It is a syncretic, mestizo mix of the Spanish and Indian, as well as African traditions and beliefs. Theatrical healing ceremonies and colorful pageantry blend wildly to bring forth a knowledge of the esoteric passed down through spiritual caravans, the pilgrims known as the Marialionceras. Each caravan worships at the altar, the "court" of its chosen spirits and saints. From American Indians to African deities, Latin American liberators and Venezuelan folk heroes, even the court of the Vikings exists here. All of these, however, lay at the feet of the "Queen mother of Venezuela", the earth goddess figure whose beauty and majesty is the source of the mystical powers that are said to reside only on this mountain. The pilgrims come to take part in her abundance and seek guidance, connecting through their mutual faith, a diverse history unified by a human desire that seeks connection with the mystery of life.

• Biography
  Troi Anderson is a fine art, documentary photographer based in Portland, Oregon. Troi began his career working in Magnolia Pictures and later, as a Merchant Marine sailing throughout Asia and the South Pacific. His work has been featured on CNN, GeoFrance, TIME Lightbox, The Oregonian, Black and White and the photo collective, Verve. Troi's photography has been exhibited in the Blue Sky Drawers program and has been named one of the Emerging Artists by Daniel Cooney Fine Art and Musee Magazine.
• Awards
  Collections Museum of Photographic Arts, San Diego Awards 2018 IPA International Photography Awards A Deeper Perspective 2018 Communication Arts Photography Annual 59 2018 American Photography 34 2018 Palm Springs Photography Festival, Featured Screening 2017 International Photography Awards 3rd Place, Traditions and Cultures Honorable Mention, Portraits 2017 Sony World Photography Awards, Commended 2016 American Photography 32 2015 Critical Mass Top 50 2015 International Photography Awards Honorable Mention, Traditions and Culture Honorable Mention, Culture Honorable Mention, Landscapes Honorable Mention, Night Photography 2015 Palm Springs Photography Festival Featured Screening, Songs of the Spirit Featured Screening, Software Fictions 2015 PX3 Prix De La Photographie Paris Gold Winner, First Place. Press/Feature Story Gold Winner, First Place. Press Honorable Mention. Press/ Feature Story 2015 PX3 Prix De La Photographie Paris, White Competition Gold Winner, First Place. Documentary Bronze Winner, Third Place. Documentary Honorable Mention. Documentary 2014 Musee Magazine, Emerging Artist 2014 International Photography Awards 2nd place, People and Culture Honorable Mention, People and Culture Honorable Mention, Traditions and Cultures 2014 PX3 Prix De La Photographie Paris Silver Winner, 2nd place. Feature Story Category Silver Winner, 2nd place. Feature Story Category Silver Winner, 2nd Place. Travel/Tourism Category 2014 Smithsonian Magazine Photography Awards, finalist 2014 Sony World Photography Awards, Commended top 30 Photographers 2014 Aperture Summer Open, exhibition winner 2014 Kiku International Mountain Summit Photography Awards, finalist 2014 Professional Photographer Magazine, Photographer of the Year, finalist