User:Charlie/T4Presentation

✧✧ Protocols for Magic - A presentation ✧✧

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I have always felt there to be an inherent connection between Magic and Art..

but..

What is Magic, in the first place?

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Although I think there might not exist a definitive answer to it, I ask this question within the first chapter of my thesis, by formulating three working definitions:

① Magic as a force

② Magic as a mode-of-thought

③ Magic as connection

I chose these three varying perspective on defining what Magic is, because individually, and concurrently, they act as a narrative framework to analyze and compare opposing positions on Magic. At the same time, I use them to form a timeline of the historic evolution of Magic within Western public discourse, its relation to Art, and directly reflect on the material implications of these definitions via examples placed on this timeline.

(Personal position/definition)

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Ultimately, I believe that Magic can mean many different things and appear in a variety of ways, experiences, forms. Whether one views Magic as something supernatural or as a representation of the human subconscious, to me, Magic represents something inherently human. — The seeking of agency and purpose in life.

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Magic as a connecting force enables us to find meaning and create a sense of control over our material conditions. Magic becomes a tool for transforming and overcoming what bind us to our current state. However... (Magic in knowledge.. and understanding "the systems")

Art can be Magic's conduit. It exists in the in-between of the tangible and ephemeral state of being.

What is Art?..

That's not my question!

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What's the timeline of this project?

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In retrospect..

Protocol for Retroactive Magic

(or an exercise in Magical thinking)

① Retrospectively/retroactively find Magic in the projects of last year

② Reframe it to represent a form of Magic

SI#25 ✧ Sounds of Marmalade ➭

Sounds of Marmalade is a project we presented at the Special Issue 25 event. It consisted as a space for the visitors to come sit down and experiment with playing DIY-instruments and found objects, connected to mixers and sound systems through contact microphones.

Towards the end of the event, we invited the public to join-in two jam performances (of roughly 20 minutes each) and collectively create an improvised symphony in front of the audience.

(...) image(s) (...)

In each performance, the beginning resembled a cacophony of sounds, as most people were getting to know, experiment and intuitively play their instruments for the first time. Yet in both of the sessions, around the last five-minute mark, something mystical happened! As if through Magic, everyone playing suddenly attuned to each other and a true orchestra emerged. Making:

✧ Magic through connection and collective creation ✧

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SI#26 ✧ A 3DS Webzine ➭

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(Understanding and overcoming limitations as a form of Magic based in knowledge and navigating systems. subversion of a systems limitations..)

Making:

✧ Magic through knowledge and transforming existing systems ✧

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SI#27 ✧ Almanac'34 ➭

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In some ways I see divination as a form of manifestation (...).

Radical hopefulness as an action against the pessimism bred through the current capitalist system. (...) You need hope and a vision of a better future to make it happen.

Making:

✧ Magic through formulating intention and spreading radical hope ✧

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Other..

Alternative forms of divination:

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Omens from the Dog Park ➭

Although I have not been keeping up with the project in recent months, I have continued my search for omens and little moments of Magic on my dog walks.

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Making:

✧ Magic through (...) ✧

Prior to my prototyping workshop, I asked people to bring a found object to craft with..

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Reflection

(...) accessible art and tools (...)

(…) "maintaining anti-capitalist.. approach." -> but should be more explicit as a central concern to the project’s design

"anti-capitalist epistemology " ->

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Presently..

My research project investigates:

What lays at the intersection of Art and Magic,

and how can it serve as a ground for forming novel and idiosyncratic Magic practices

through creative expression?

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In alchemy..

"Solve et coagula"

"As above so below"

Protocol for Alchemical Reformulation

① Break down the question into its base components

② Reflect and give additional context to these components

③ Reconfigure them to form a new question

What lays at the intersection ..

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.. of Art and Magic ..

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.. and how can it serve as a ground for forming ..

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.. novel and idiosyncratic ..

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.. Magic practices ..

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.. through creative expression ..

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.. ? ..

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✧ ✧ ✧ Reformulations ✧ ✧ ✧

What lays at the intersection of Art and Magic, and how can it serve as a ground for forming

novel and idiosyncratic Magic practices through creative expression?

or

What lays at the intersection of Art and Magic, and how can it serve as a ground for forming

novel and idiosyncratic Magic practices through creative expression?

or

What lays at the intersection of Art and Magic, and how can it serve as a ground for forming

novel and idiosyncratic Magic practices through creative expression?

or

...?

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Prototyping..

Protocols for Magic Circles 1

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Key feedback

Prototyping Workshop

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Key feedback

Try-Out Night Prototypes

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Key feedback

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What lays... ahead?

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