2nd Place; Lupus Hominarius by Noemi Comi

Lupus Hominarius refers to the legends and folk tales of Calabria, Italy, surrounding the figure of the werewolf. According to folklore you could become a werewolf as a result of a curse, or through infections, bites or pacts with the devil. The legend shared by many towns in Calabria relates to the ‘first wedding night’, in which the bride dies at the hands of her werewolf husband while the two are consummating their marriage. Very often, such tales were created to prevent women from going out alone in the village, especially at night.

People would take advantage of these tales by wearing wolf masks to instil fear in local residents, preventing them from leaving their homes while they rob the village cellars. Lupus Hominarius offers a contemporary reading of the myths surrounding werewolves, recreating partial and ambiguous scenarios.