Margaret Haines Essay on Astrology and Politics Featured in Nonsensical Publication

The art publication Nonsensical has featured an excerpt from artist and filmmaker Margaret Haines's essay titled 'Sex without Threat.' In the piece, Haines draws inspiration from Theodor W. Adorno's work 'The Stars Down to Earth,' which examines astrology's connection to fascism in 1950s California. Haines revisits the Carroll Righter Astrological Foundation to consider contemporary Los Angeles and global events, including those between the European Union and Greece leading up to the 2016 U.S. presidential election. The essay raises questions about whether celestial bodies influence political dynamics or if political forces shape astrological interpretations. This content originally appeared in the third issue of Nonsensical. The article also discusses Apollo Insurance, located in Highland Park, Los Angeles, a neighborhood experiencing gentrification over the past five to ten years. A graduate student described the area's transformation, noting the influx of art students, MFA program attendees, and professionals like web-series writers and architects, which has displaced long-term residents. Apollo Insurance offers affordable auto and home coverage, and the narrative suggests it might be involved in money laundering, with speculation that its owners could eventually profit from the property. The piece reflects on insurance as a form of protection against loss, connecting broader themes of uncertainty and control in society.