HOLE*Y MAGIC

In the organizer's words:

Alicia Agustín, Pêdra Costa, Mary Maggic & Lauryn Youden

May 8-Aug. 17, 25

Opening: May 07 19:00

holey (EN) - holey: allowing an entrance and exit
holy (EN) - sacred: belonging to, originating from or connected with a divine power

Purity, healing and cleansing are central themes in the practices of New Age magic. Tarot readers place their decks next to a clear quartz crystal overnight, and astrologers light white candles in their rooms at full moon to cleanse them of unwanted energies. Spellcasters who open portals to the spiritual world seal them with salt circles to keep out "shadow energies". These rituals necessarily exclude those who are considered tainted, sick or corrupt. Impurity thus becomes a threat that must be warded off.

The danger of impurity extends far beyond the realm of the magical and often emanates from passageways: Openings through which impurities can enter or escape must therefore be carefully guarded. The control and monitoring of holes with regard to their cleanliness can be a personal task - for example with regard to our orifices - as well as a social one, for example with regard to border crossings.

The fetishization of flawlessness can pose a threat to those who are categorized as unclean by the dominant society. Activists and theorists from marginalized social positions rejected this ideology by reclaiming the social characteristics of defilement for themselves. 'Dirty' concepts such as sleaze, obscenity or perversion were embraced as signs of belonging and pleasure - especially in queer subcultures, for example through actions such as kiss-ins or the celebration of trashy fashion.

The expansion of contemporary culture onto profit-driven digital platforms further distorts concepts of truthfulness or authenticity. TikTok witches, as well as fortune tellers on the street, are often associated with rip-offs and scams. The perceptions of what is considered trustworthy are often based on racism, sexism and classism.

The artists in HOLE*Y MAGIC criticize the imposition of the halo often seen in practitioners of New Age magic and Western esotericism. In doing so, they challenge the inherently Eurocentric and appropriative structures of these categories and reject the colonial legacy of moral puritanism that has also shaped spiritual traditions.

The installations of Agustín, Costa, Maggic and Youden combine magic with queer strategies of foolishness, irony, pessimism and drama, tangibly representing the relationships between the magical and our political, technological and economic realities. Their artworks - whether through cracks in the asphalt or those in our cell phone screens - offer moments of deep connection with the spiritual and nature, with shadow and light.

Program of events:

Opening
May 7, 7 p.m.

Artist lecture-performance
Moone people do magic like Dr. Dee
with the Roma Biennale (Delaine le Bas, Hamze Bytyçi, & László Farkas)
June 11, 7 pm (EN)

Microplastic Karaoke
With (Esotussi AKA) Blümchen,(Soft Fantasy AKA) Brain Plastic, &(Fenek Sélavy AKA) Bodyglitta
June 21, 7 pm (EN/DE)

Solstice Tarot Readings
With Pêdra Costa
June 22 & 29: Without registration
June 23, 24, 25 & 26: Registration required at info@galerie-im-turm.net
In each case between 14-18 h (EN/PT/ES)

Guided tour of the exhibition
With the curator Frances Breden
July 23, 7 pm (EN)

Reading circle
With COVEN BERLIN
The dates will be announced later (EN)

Exhibition tour and discussion
With Frances Breden and art historian & religious scholar Celica Fitz
August 07, 7 pm (DE)

Finissage performance evening
With Alicia Agustín & houaïda, Sadie Lune
August 16, 8 pm (EN)