Categorised: Seminars

Curating Magic

A programme of talks and panel discussion investigating the curation of magical art, magic and esotericism

This seminar aims to consider how magic’s continued importance as counter-cultural force and epistemological strategy might be reflected in art, art history and curation, exploring how magic and esotericism can shape not only the content of an exhibition but how they might, in turn, inform curatorial practice itself.

This event is one in a series of 15 British Art Network supported seminars for 2022.

Tickets are free but registration is essential, book your ticket via Eventbrite.

Curating Magic is organised by Tor Scott, Helen Bremm and Emma Sharples. Please contact [email protected] with any queries.

Programme and timings

9am Welcome, Thanks and Introduction

9.15-10.15am Keynote: Curating Surrealism and Magic: From Concept to Implementation, Gražina Subelytė and Daniel Zamani

– 15 minute break –

10.30-10.35am Introductions

10.35-11.00am Alchemy: The Ancient Art of Transformation, Gillian McIver and Hanya ElGhamry

11.00-11.25am The Magical Logic of Voodoo Aesthetics, Shareed Mohammed

– 20 minute break –

11.45-11.50am Introductions

11.50am-12.15pm Sisterly Spaces: The Magic Circle as Curatorial Method, Aaron Lister and Chelsea Nichols

12.15-12.40pm Curating Spiritual Landscapes, Anna Milon and Claire Slack

12.40-1.05pm Domestic Dioramas of Magic: Intimacy and the Home as a Curatorial Approach to Magic in Museums, Marisa Karyl Franz

– One hour break –

2.05-2.10pm Introductions

2.10-2.35pm The Fairy King’s Grimoire: How to make a spellbook, Alexander D’Agostino

2.35-3pm Curatorial Practice as Spellcasting: Defying Post-colonial Constraints in Ukraine through Contemporary Art Exhibitions, Oksana Gryshchenko

– 15 minute break –

3.15-4.15pm Panel Discussion with Q&A

4.15-4.30pm Thanks and Goodbyes

Full list of abstracts and speaker biographies available to download, below.

Curating Magic Abstracts and Speaker Biographies