Joachim Koester's Occult Rhythms at IAC Villeurbanne
Running from December 10, 2011, to February 19, 2012, the exhibition at IAC in Villeurbanne highlights the works of Joachim Koester, focusing on themes of the occult and the unconscious. Rather than exploring supernatural phenomena, Koester delves into hidden forces. His piece 'One + One + One' (2006) features drum sounds emanating from an ancient abbey in Celafu, Sicily, associated with Aleister Crowley. 'Demonology' (2010) presents a video animation drawing from medieval texts about the devil. 'From the Secret Garden of Sleep' (2008) includes 1980s publications on marijuana cultivation, a reaction to Ronald Reagan's 1982 ban. 'Tarantisme' (2007) alludes to the tarantella dance, and 'Variations of Incomplete Open Cubes' (2011) pays homage to Sol LeWitt. Notably, the absence of Antonin Artaud in Koester's references is mentioned. Written by Sarah Ihler-Meyer.
Key facts
- Exhibition at IAC Villeurbanne from December 10, 2011 to February 19, 2012
- Joachim Koester's works explore occult and unconscious rhythms
- 'One + One + One' (2006) filmed at former abbey of Celafu in Sicily
- Aleister Crowley inhabited the abbey in the 1920s
- 'Demonology' (2010) video animation inspired by medieval treatises
- 'From the Secret Garden of Sleep' (2008) features 1980s marijuana magazines
- Ronald Reagan's 1982 prohibition referenced in 'From the Secret Garden of Sleep'
- 'Tarantisme' (2007) references tarantella dance
- 'Variations of Incomplete Open Cubes' (2011) references Sol LeWitt's 1974 series
- Text by Sarah Ihler-Meyer
Entities
Artists
- Joachim Koester
- Aleister Crowley
- Henri Michaux
- Sol LeWitt
- Antonin Artaud
- Sarah Ihler-Meyer
Institutions
- IAC (Institut d'Art Contemporain) Villeurbanne
Locations
- Villeurbanne
- France
- Celafu
- Sicily
- Italy
Sources
- artpress —