User:Charlie/Thesis Outline

Thesis Outline

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✧ Draft # 1✧

✼ Outline content ✼

• Introduction
• Key Issue/chapter 1

• Key Issue/chapter 2
• Key Issue/chapter 3
• Conclusion

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Introduction

- If magic isn't real, how do you explain ●▲◾️? -

This thesis investigates Magic as a system-of-thought within an artistic practice through three sequential contexts — Magic as a conceptual system, Magic in relation to other systems of thought and Magic through Protocol.

(may still needs personal motivation and wider context)

Key issues

1. Define and contextualize and Magic as a mode of thinking, applicable to an artistic practice
2. Define and position Magic (and art) as inherently linked to a wider systems
3. Define and investigate the potential of Magic systems to practice Magic through art

Chapter #1 ✧

Key components

• Art and Magic as interconnected practices
• Different understandings and theories on Magic (practices)
• Define my personal position and motivation for the thesis

The first chapter introduces the concept of Magic through exploring varying working definitions and establishes Art and Magic as interconnected practices, through relevant sources and references (see bibliography) from more general historic examples up to contemporary sources.

Most general definitions describe Magic (noun) as a force, or the employing of a force outside of the bounds of Science or measurable natural laws, able to affect reality, attributes of reality or someone's perception there of. With the specific definition of the "force", in other words, the "source of magic" depending on cultural and historical contexts. ❎ Other sources may frame Magic as a “mode-of-thinking”, the lens through which one may perceive and engage with the world. Through this view, Magic isn’t necessarily described as the conceptual manifestation of “invisible forces” but rather a general psychological phenomena. Often as a means to distance Magic from supernatural implications. ❎

Though these approaches to defining Magic are not necessarily in opposition to each other, I may use them as a framework for categorization when analyzing different understandings of Magic. Distinguishing between "force-based" Magic and "mind-based" Magic or in-between forms of Magic theories and methodologies. These frameworks for working definitions will inform my approach to analyzing examples of art-based magic practices and the interconnected history of Magic and Art as a whole. As well as create grounds for my personal position and methods used in the chapters following and my graduation project, Protocols for Magic.

Magical art has existed as a form of human expression since the dawn of time. ❎

This thesis positions Magic and Art as concepts in flux, inherently idiosyncratic, yet always shaped by the larger systems they exist in. Whether implicit or explicit. As such, Art as the conduit to Magic, "magical Art", is always subjective but never neutral. In other words, my thesis and project do not aim to find a pseudo-universal framework for the interpretation of Magic, but rather, investigate varying possibilities for practicing art-based Magic through personal creative expression. Leaving the necessary space to incorporate and engage with personal belief- and symbolic systems. 


Chapter #2 ✧

The second chapter will take a closer look at

Through the analysis of these references, I may reflect and extrapolate elements to be adapted in my material research and project. And how they may inform the construction of experimental frameworks.

As such, chapter two will lay the ground-works for the theoretical research employed in the protocols for Magic prototypes as I work towards a final form.

❎❎❎

Chapter #3 ✧

The third chapter will first reflect on the main take-aways of the previous two chapters and summarise how it informed my project up to this point. Following this, chapter three will take on a more back-and-forth approach to project and thesis, elaborate and reflect on my findings and evaluate the process and following steps. 
This chapter aims to put into final textual form all research I may reference in my project process. As well as explain my future plans and perceived limitations past the thesis deadline.

❎❎❎

Chapter #4 ✧...

Conclusion

References ✼ Bibliography

Magic History - Forms of Magic

Source	Synopsis	Source Form
C. Gosden, “Magic: A History: From Alchemy to Witchcraft, from the Ice Age to the Present”		📌👀
DK, “A History of Magic, Witchcraft and the Occult”	Illustrated compendium on the history of magic practices through the ages	📚
L. Williams, "Compendium Of The Occult - Arcane Artefacts, Magic Rituals and Sacred Symbolism"	Illustrated compendium on the history of occult practices through the ages	📚

Magic Theory

Source	Synopsis	Source Form
J. Sutcliffe, “Magic” -> “on magic's generative relationship with contemporary art practice”	On magic's generative relationship with contemporary art practice	📚⏳(ordered)
M. Mauss, “A General Theory On Magic”		💾
R. Dukes, “S.S.O.T.B.M.E. Revised - An Essay On Magic”	Theoretical concept of Magic as way of thinking, in comparison to scientific, religious or artistic thinking	💾


Magic in function and context

Source	Synopsis	Source Form
E. Bever, R. Styers, “Magic in the Modern World: Strategies of Repression and Legitimization”	Contemporary analysis of modern magic practices and its function in society	📚⏳(ordered)
P. Stevens Jr., “Rethinking the Anthropology of Magic and Witchcraft: Inherently Human”	Anthropological theory on Magic's function in the human mind and society throughout history	📚⏳ (ordered)
J. Sorensen, “A Cognitive Theory of Magic”		📌👀

Magic and Art

Source	Synopsis	Source Form
S. Bellisario, “Contemporary Visions: Refiguring The Esoteric; The Transformational Act of “Making” Magic”	Intersection of art and magic, symbolic value of artistic practice with the purpose of magic	💾
A. Davies, “Art is Magic”	Intersection of art and magic, experience in a museum setting, contemporary art	💾
J. Gilhooly, “Enchanted Objects: Agency in the Magic and Contemporary Art Practice”	Secular” Magic and the agency of art and magic in “Technologies of Enchantment”	💾
H. Cornish, “Sensing materiality in the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic”	Multi-modal experience/perception of magic practitioners in a Museum space	💾

Art & Artists

Source	Synopsis	Source Form

📚 = physical copy  💾 = .pdf  📌👀 = still need a copy  ⏳ = waiting for copy

‌(Some books are impossible to find as free pdfs, only exist in physical form or ebook versions (which often cost the same price or close to a printed copy).

Since I read and collect a lot of books on magic, folklore an occult topics anyway, I don't mind spending a bit on physical books, and adding to my collection.

But I'll do my best to upload pdfs to the bootleg library, make my physical copies available as digital scans or store them at the studio for easy access at some point during the process.)

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✼ Feedback & Reflections ✼

Feedback session - 16th October w/ Lexie & Wyn

• Clear and concise plan
• Picture of prototype helped -> Visual examples may be important
• Link between Thesis and Project is very clear but a clearer description of the project could be included in the protocols chapter
• Timetable seems chaotic/ like it needs revision
• Wider context could benefit from contemporary examples of Magic practices, and comparisons to past practices
• To think about: How do aesthetic components come into the idea of magic and the occult?

Feedback session - 16th October w/ Lidia

• Be more precise in the aspect of magic I want to investigate -> Narrow down
• What is the intervention/goal of the project
• Magic>Art -> Art>Magic = Shift the focus
• -> own perspective on the link between magic and art -> elaborate my intentions
• Make the abstract connection in my mind more explicit to the outside/reader
• Through narrowing down the subject -> Key points will fall naturally into a hierarchy -> Which will help pin-point the core of the project
• Expand on the wider context

✼ Plans & Next steps ✼

• Define my perspective on how art connects to magic
• Shift focus to the core of what I want to investigate
• Elaborate on link between magic and art + examples
• Add concrete examples and partial segments of the final outline + sources (all chapters)
• Elaborate on the link between thesis and proposal, especially in chapter 3 on protocols
• Add an updated reference list (references for each chapter) + synopsis
• Art and aesthetic component to magic -> Proposal