Online conference for art, design, magic, and religion. October 15 – 17, 2026 The Department of Art + Art History and The Center for the Study of Ideas and Practices at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, in co-sponsorship with The Center for Advanced Studies – Erlangen, The University of Exeter’s Centre for Magic and Esotericism, Societas Magica, and RENSEP, are pleased to collaboratively host Creative…
Tag: magic
Boy Howdy
Vale, Dave Marsh, who has died at 74. One of the founding writers of Creem, my teenage bible, he’s probably best known for getting people to realise the power of Bruce Springsteen but he was also fierce advocate for Patti Smith, which was no small thing in the cock-rock 70s before punk arrived. I took…
On Cats
I know I have neglected the blog of late but I have been preoccupied with my presentation for ISSS; like most works, they are never finished, only abandoned — or in the case of presentations, must be delivered at a specific time so the deadline is very real. That’s to say I think I am…
CFP Divination, Witchcraft & the Occult: PCA Boston 2027
Call for PresentationsDivination, Witchcraft & the Occult *SPECIAL TOPIC*Popular Culture Association National Conference24-7 March 2027, Boston MA The broad interest in divination, witchcraft, and the occult has been part of popular culture for centuries. Scholars’ discomfort with the topic is often palpable: they tend to focus on intersections that feel more legitimate, e.g. legal ramifications…
ISSS Glasgow
I am delighted to get an acceptance to the next International Society for the Study of Surrealism conference which will be in Glasgow this August. By no means a sure thing as the competition only increases as the world gets more and more surreal! Of course this is a little easier to attend than some…
Bridging the Invisible
I could not be more delighted to be part of the Creative Practices and Bridging the Invisible conference wrangled by Heather D. Freeman for The Department of Art + Art History and The Center for the Study of Ideas and Practices at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, in co-sponsorship with The Center for Advanced Studies – Erlangen, The University of…
Nephomancy
Happy Walpurgisnacht — or Vappu or whatever you celebrate on the eve of May Day or Beltane. I am sharing my short film Nephomancy as it has been through the festival circuit and now will join the other hauntings that eminate from Hookland, its inspiration. Witches see portents in all things — the world is…
Mystery & Wonder
I made a quick jaunt down to the city which had two drawbacks immediately: 1) I was not meeting up with my partner in art crimes, Stephanie QoE and 2) it was unseasonably hot and how I hate that. Nevertheless, she persisted as one exhibit I quite wanted to see closes this weekend. First stop…
Pop Magic
I have not been to the Atlanta Marriott Marquis for a long time but it retains memories of both PCA and DragonCon from way back in the day, so many varied memories resurfacing through the hectic days which were marvellous! Great fun with Miss Wendy and old friends like Frenchy and Carol, and such terrific…
Forecasting the Future in the Past
Today is the last day of the FORECAST exhibit, which has apparently been very popular. The Institute seems very happy with it. To close out the run, there will be tarot readings, performances, and a talk by me — as well as the last chance to catch all the art. I’ll be talking about the…