“Sin Eater” by David M. Alcantar (Opening Reception)

Fl!ght Gallery is proud to announce the exhibition “Sin Eater” by Texas artist David M. Alcantar.

This exhibition, exploring the enduring concept of the sin eater, a ritual practice where individuals metaphorically consumed the sins of the deceased as a means for spiritual purification, is the latest iteration of Alcantar’s “The Superman Project.” From 17th-century European ritual death meals, to the dirt eating of the mythological Aztec goddess Tlazōlteōtl, Jesus Christ’s crucifixion for humanity’s sins, and even the confession of sins to priests, these anecdotal practices symbolize sin “consumption” and a desire for absolution that persists even in today’s pop culture. Superman embodies a kind of sin eater, shouldering human failings through superhuman powers to inspire hope and betterment. Similarly, political figures and movements have sought to define themselves as cultural saviors with answers to the problems of a desperate and mortal populace. By examining this practice of absolution through…