Trans-States - The art of revelation
An unabashed play on words, a ‘trans- state’ is, among other things, a coincidentia oppositorum. An alchemical wedding that defines the fixed place, where boundaries are actively transgressed. In many ways, this point of intersection—this crossroads—is where the role of the magician, mystic and artist collide. Where each can play a role in revealing the neoteric and the numinous, while making ruinous the antiquated and the corrupt. Revelation and revolution are often intimately linked; the sudden and violent unveiling of the truly novel, utterly alien, and ineffably Other, brings with it the upheaval of our very foundations—that of the individual, and of the societies we build. The art of revelation, is the art of cataclysm and catharsis.
The first Trans- States conference, The Art of Crossing Over, themed itself upon the Major Arcana card, The Hanged Man, and focused solely on boundary crossing, liminality and the queering of normativity. This upcoming Trans- States conference, The Art of Revelation, themes itself upon The Tower. As such, it seeks to broaden its scope to include the shock and awe of revelatory and paradigm-shifting occultural experiences; the impact and implications of anti-structure, of alterations in consciousness and of the revolutionary aspects of paranormality.
This is a transdisciplinary conference that will explore the complex interrelationships between contemporary occulture, revelation, non-ordinary states of consciousness, power, structure, textuality and deconstruction.
Confirmed Keynotes
We are pleased to announce that we already have three extremely exciting keynote speakers confirmed:
- Wouter Hanegraaff –Professor of History of Hermetic Philosophy and Related Currents at the University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Jeffrey Kripal –Professor Kripal holds the J. Newton Rayzor Chair in Philosophy and Religious Thought at Rice University, Houston, Texas.
- Daisy Eris Campbell –Writer, actor and director. Campbell recently adapted Robert Anton Wilson’s cult autobiographical book Cosmic Trigger for the stage.
Call for Proposals
As further guidance for proposal ideas, all proposals should relate to one or more of the following: contemporary esotericism, mysticism, spirituality, psychedelics, occulture AND—
- revelation or other highly ‘productive’ altered states of consciousness (gnosis, channeling, alienated agency, creative dissociation, etc.).
- (oc)cultural production (with specific focus on revelation and altered states of consciousness).
- cultural criticism; literary and critical theory.
- political dissidence; political extremism; radicalism; revolution.
- psychosis.
- trauma; ordeal.
- anti-structure; fragmentation.
We welcome proposals by academics, independent scholars, practitioners and artists.
We aim to promote not only the blending of disciplines, but also non-normative approaches to the theme. As such, joint proposals, collaborations, practitioner-based activities, pre-formed panels and performances are very welcome, as well as individual submissions and papers. We also welcome short film screenings; exhibited works; visual art; sound art; installations; visually interactive talks and workshops.
This list of ‘trans- states’ from the first conference may help provide additional inspiration:
Transcendental
Transformation
Transmutation
Transmedia and transnarrative
Transgender, Transexual, Gender Queer, Androgyne
Transitions and liminality
Transmissions
Transcultural
Transdermal and body modification
Transfixion
Transference
Transdisciplinary
Transfiguration
Transgression
Transhumanism
Transmigration and metempsychosis
Transnatural art and design
Transpersonal
Transubstantiation