Aesthetics

“How Spirituality Went from Taboo to Trendy in the Art World”

Eleanor Heartley writes for Art in America: (…) at the advent of the second quarter of the 21st century, a pileup of crises—social, political, environmental, and technological—seems to have all but extinguished the sense of optimism about the future that flared periodically throughout the 20th century. Af Klint’s mysterious, luminous abstractions offer a salve to … Read more“How Spirituality Went from Taboo to Trendy in the Art World”

“Spirits of the Deep South”

Professor Yvonne Chireau explores the tradition of Hoodoo in the deep south and how its beliefs and traditions in spirituality, ancestors, the hereafter, and defense against evil inform the world and characters of the recent movie Sinners. Wunmi Mosaku, who plays Annie, shares how important her role was in the making of this film and … Read more“Spirits of the Deep South”

“CREATION: A New Religion” (2025)

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s new documentary about CREATION, the queer insurrectionary science fiction climate change religion developed by artist Deborah Kelly and her collaborators: Why would you create a new religion? In 2020, Australian artist Deborah Kelly began pondering that question. She was filled with grief over the Black Summer bushfires, and wanted something to believe in. … Read more“CREATION: A New Religion” (2025)

Upcoming CREATION documentary

A heads-up that the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s documentary about CREATION, the queer insurrectionary science fiction climate change religion developed by artist Deborah Kelly and her collaborators, will soon be available. It’s scheduled for 6.30pm eastern standard time this coming Sunday across Australia and will also be available internationally through the ABC’s youtube channel from Sunday morning (roughly … Read moreUpcoming CREATION documentary

The Church of Burn

Introducing the Church of Burn: Art-Magic Cult? New Age Religion? Ritualists? Gnostics? Chaos Mages? When the Fitzwilliam Museum described Church of Burn as “organisers of special events that resemble religious ceremonies,” it felt like we were being observed through the lens of a Victorian anthropologist — as if our rituals needed some kind of official … Read moreThe Church of Burn

Te Ātea and the Potentials of Civic Mythopoetics in New Zealand

Recently returned from a trip to New Zealand, where I was heartened and intrigued to note that traditional Māori cultural/spiritual symbolism is increasingly being incorporated into public space design. The photo above is of Te Ātea (“the Space”) on the Lake Taupo foreshore: There are a number of different elements that come together to form … Read moreTe Ātea and the Potentials of Civic Mythopoetics in New Zealand