AN EXPLORATION OF DARKNESS, SENSUALITY, AND FREEDOM FROM VODOU TO MICTLÁN THROUGH AI
Words and Art by Marisol Rios
As I dove into the theme of Noir and embraced the dark feminine, I found myself drawn into a creative journey that began with a spark of inspiration fromBride of Chucky and Tiffany Valentine. What started as a playful exploration into the dark feminine quickly morphed into something deeper and more profound. Tiffany, with her unapologetic confidence and dark mysticism, opened my eyes to new ways of seeing my own body and power. But, as is often the case with my ADHD brain, this spark led me to a creative pivot: the Aztec goddess of death, Mictecacihuatl.
The Creative Pivot: From Horror Films to Ancient Deities
In Mexican culture, especially for women, there are strong taboos around witchcraft, sensuality, and anything “dark.” Tiffany didn’t hide these aspects of herself—she embraced them. This inspired me to stop hiding my own interests in the mystical and to embrace my connection to tarot, Aztec deities, and ancestral spiritual traditions. From this inspiration, Mictecacihuatl became the central figure of my AI portrait series. This shift from one icon to another felt likea natural reflection of my cultural duality—bridging both the modern and ancient aspects of my identity as a Mexican woman that grew up withAmerican influences.
Tapping Into Mictecacihuatl’s Power
Through my AI portrait series, I began by creating images inspired by Tiffany’s sensuality and mysticism which led me to images where I channeled the essence of Mictecacihuatl. Her connection to death, the underworld, and the cyclical nature of life felt like a powerful reflection of my own journey—constantly transforming, shedding old versions of myself, and stepping into new ones. This goddess, with her deep cultural and spiritual significance, became the core of this series.
Reclaiming My Body and Identity
Tiffany Valentine showed me that beauty and power don’t have to fit into narrow societal standards. This revelation, combined with Mictecacihuatl’s energy, allowed me to reclaim my body as a source of strength and sensuality. Through AI, I crafted images that celebrated the dark feminine—fierce, mystical, unapologetic. I embraced my curves and my connection to the ancient feminine power, finding empowerment in every piece of art.
Conclusion: From Darkness, Power Emerges
This portrait series, rooted in the dark feminine energy of Mictecacihuatl, became a profound exploration of my identity. What started with a spark fromBride of Chucky evolved into a deep connection with my ancestral goddess.Through this journey, I embraced the richness of my heritage and the complexity of my femininity, allowing the dark feminine to guide me toward anew sense of empowerment—body, mind, and spirit.