| Description |
Any artistic expression, representing the introspective intention of the author, can be understood as a form of communication between the creator and the audience. At the same time, the art piece takes up a life of its own, where the original intention does not necessarily correlate with the received message, leading sometimes to a certain ambiguity of meaning and the feeling of mystery. As a way of expressing abstract ideas, thoughts, dreams or wishes, art has unsurprisingly become a suitable vessel for magical practices as well. The persona of the artist-magician can be followed at least to the late 19th century with the rise of Symbolism, later culminating in the various styles of abstract art, and is present up to today. Different art pieces, or performances, intensively infused with a multitude of syncretic, occult practices, have often been a centrepiece in contemporary magical practice. Prominent artists, such as the occult painter Austin Osman Spare, the comic book author Grant Morrison, or the recently deceased Genesis P-Orridge advocated an art-magic combination, intended to change reality. This intention is replicated by an increasing number of artists and performers, for whom the line between an art piece and the occult intention ceases to exist – art becomes magic, and magic becomes art. Especially while facing the problems of the contemporary society, this magical practice becomes one possible way of dealing with the uncertainty and chaos, aiming, therefore, at achieving as individuals, global goals. This presentation will analyze several examples of how occult art, presented through audiovisual means in the artistic scene, or even pop-culture, was intended as a way of dealing with society-wide issues and problems.
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