New online event launched in collaboration with National Gallery X and supported by Arts Council exploring the art of mystical experiences 

Transcendence

Curated by Maria Almena

Research launch, curated talks and panel discussion 

28 September, 6.00-7.45pm

Speakers: Maria Almena (Kimatica studio) | Katherine Templar-Lewis (Kinda studios) | Maja Petric (University of Washington) | Carl Smith (Ravensbourne University)

Art in Flux presents “Transcendence” - the art of mystical experiences, a new online event supported by the Arts Council England that celebrates some of the most ground-breaking media artists and researchers of our times exploring this idea. 

‘Transcendence’, curated by Maria Almena, curator at Art in Flux and artist at Kimatica studio, explores the art behind creating mystical experiences. The term “transcendental” was coined by Immanuel Kant, meaning “That which goes beyond any possible knowledge of human beings.” 

Pioneering media artists, researchers and scientists present their work on mystical, transcendental and sublime experiences, discussing how art can help audiences to reconnect to these fundamental “spiritual” ideas so intrinsic to human existence. Understanding spirituality from the lenses of the father of Western psychology, William James, who defined spiritual experiences as states of higher consciousness, at the core of his view of spirituality is what we might call ‘connectedness’.

Transcendence will focus on how traditional art portrayed these spiritual ideas and how contemporary media artists are portraying these experiences now. From Neuroscience to Psychology, Visual Arts, New Media and beyond, the research community has long tried to understand the concept of shamanism, transformational, spiritual and transcendental power of the Arts better. 

Transcendence presents contemporary art strategies in the context of the National Gallery. Religious/mystical experiences have been widely portrayed at the National Gallery Collection. Traditionally, one of the main “uses” of art was to help people to connect with God, a view encouraged by the Church. Romantic artists focused on the sublime in nature, which is another form of achieving a transcendental experience.

Currently, our Western society remains disconnected from mystical experiences, due to the decline of beliefs in institutionalised religion, as capitalism does not offer any ethical or spiritual guidance. This has led to a wide-spread sense of feeling lost - disconnected from the self and nature. Responding to our societal needs, ‘Transcendence’ is featuring artists and scientists that are researching how art experiences can reconnect us with such mystical and sublime experiences, currently missing from contemporary society. 

This evening of existential enquiry, curated by the artist Maria Almena, will feature a research launch by the curator, as well as seminal artists and researchers including Maja Petric, Carl Smith, Kimatica and Kinda Studios and provide a forum for discussion of transcendental practices in contemporary media arts.

Co-founder of Art in Flux María Almena says:

 “As an artist and curator, I believe that contemporary art has a responsibility to contribute to societal change and that is going to play a key role in our society’s recovery from the pandemic. Art has proven therapeutic benefits, and by creating artworks that aim to encourage wellbeing and introspection, I’m hoping to lead the way towards a more thoughtful and emotionally connected way of experiencing art”.

Free tickets for online event can be booked here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/art-in-flux-national-gallery-x-transcendence-tickets-166040628991

More info about the event can be found here: https://www.artinfluxlondon.com/transcendence-ngx.html