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 ✧ What is Magic?

The introductory chapter will take the shape of a short literature review of relevant (re)sources and selected material to narrow down my research questions within a defined scope and context relevant to its application in my graduation project and my personal positioning. Which will shape the foundation of the following chapters.

It goes without saying that encapsulating the entirety of Magic, nor art, as a concept within a thesis is impossible. So to enter this thesis, it feels important to begin with a comprehensive outline of the many concepts and terms it will discuss. Both as a way to investigate various definitions, ideas and understandings of Magic, and other connected topics, to understand its wider context and the more systematized approach I will explore in chapter 2 and 3, as well as the graduation project.

To illustrate the more general and overarching terms and concepts, the second part of this first chapter will cover a range of examples of magic practices and rituals which contain significant aspects of artistic expression or have a notable link to artistic practices, movements or the like. (+examples)

(+argument for Magic as a mode of thinking/system of thought/reasoning)

Chapter #2 ✧ Magic (in) Systems

~ Humans and Magic, in its many forms throughout history, have been in an ever-fluctuating relationship — Between public(-ly accepted) displays of worship or condemned to the margins of private devotion. ~

No system of thought can be entirely separated from the larger systems in which it exists in. As such, every form of Magic may always be viewed in relation to the historical context in which it emerged from, its material culture, artistic expressions and the socio-cultural and political environments that shape/worship/practice/distrust/reject/deny it.

Chapter two is a more detailed continuation of the latter part of the first chapter, offering more in-depth reflections on previous examples and additional references.

Whereas the previous chapter centered around Magic in its more conceptual aspect and individual practices, the second chapter will mostly concern itself with placing and analyzing Magic within a wider context. Including ancient Magic practices, but mostly focusing on relevant examples from recent history and contemporary practices.

(Interconnected view of magic and expression/art)

Chapter #3 ✧ Protocols for Magic

With the insights gathered previously, chapter three will turn to a more methodical approach to Magic as a mode of thinking within an artistic practice.

As a framework for this approach, I will utilize the literary concept of Magic systems, the constructed "rules, limitations, and abilities that define the magic" within a fictional world. In other words, attempt to categorize and draw parallels between elements of existing Magic practices and external circumstances/greater systems of influence into a framework of internal logic within Magic systems.

It feels important to mention that this part of the thesis may seem reductionist towards or devaluing existing Magic belief systems, but that is not my intention. As part of my greater attempt to explore new potential frameworks for Magic practices through art ("Protocols for Magic"); I want this method of categorization to act more like a distillation, rather than a reduction, into building-blocks for a vast array of new symbols, associations and modules able to be used within my graduation project.

Chapter #4 ✧...

Conclusion

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Disclaimer: All em dashes in this text have been human-generated. (We can't let the robots claim our dashes!)

✼ 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 ✼

• Add concrete examples and partial segments of the final outline + sources (all chapters)
• Elaborate on link between magic and art + examples
• 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

References ✼ Bibliography

1. Dukes, R. (2000). 'SSOTBME Revised - an essay on magic.', The Mouse That Spins, England. (ISBN: 1-903548-00-4)
2. Dk (2020). 'History of Magic, Witchcraft, and the Occult.' Dorling Kindersley Publishing, Incorporated. (ISBN: 978-0-2413-8611-8)
3. Nataf, A. (1990). 'Les Maîtres de l’occultisme.' , France Loisirs, (ISBN: 978-2724250015) ‌ ‌