Open Call no. 2: Transfiguration
To alchemize, to rebirth, to metamorphose, to hide the subject,
– On behalf of…; In the words of…; In memory of…; In the spirit of…; In the name of…
Belief systems – religious, ideological, or capitalist – shape our understanding of reality and the values that we hold. Value attachment is central to transfiguration. It determines what we cherish, what we relinquish, what we pray to, and what we transform into new forms of meaning. While capitalist commodification has displaced spiritual and collective practices, attachments to alternative beliefs, rituals, and ways of being continue to emerge in the cracks of this system, resisting imposed hierarchies of worth.
This issue seeks to explore how transfiguration happens through belief, from spiritual practices to radical ideologies, delving into the mystical, the transformative, and the unexpected, interrogating the role of beliefs and rituals in shaping personal and collective transformation. And how capitalist society is built on the ranking of beliefs and how this legitimizes forms of marginalization and oppression.
We are looking for works that inspire wonder and contemplation, and that engage with the act of transformation – both individual and collective, that explore the multiple meanings of the term across different disciplines – e.g., religion, philosophy, art, politics, and/or social theory.
Topics:
- Miracles and Apparitions:
- The mystical, unexplained, or seemingly miraculous experiences that challenge dominant narratives of rationality and truth.
- Rituals of the Everyday:
- How rituals, ranging from personal habits to public ceremonies, offer moments of resistance and transformation in secular or capitalist contexts.
- Faith in Crisis:
- Reflections on how faith and spirituality have shifted in response to political, environmental, or cultural crises.
- Alternative Spiritual Practices:
- The rise of non-institutional spiritual practices that resist the commodification of belief and provide collective meaning-making opportunities.
- Ideological Transformation:
- Narratives of personal or collective transformation through shifts in belief systems, whether through activism, education, or spiritual awakening.
- Reclaiming the Sacred, the Ecstatic:
- How marginalized communities are reclaiming sacredness in art, activism, and daily life in the face of secularization?
- Icons and Beliefs:
- Personal stories about the figures, mentors, or icons who have transformed your beliefs and understanding of the world.
- Capitalism as Religion:
- Analyzing capitalism as a belief system that structures lives and societies, and exploring acts of spiritual or ideological resistance to it.
Formats:
- Manifestos or Open Letters:
- Written declarations of belief, asserting a particular perspective on faith, resistance, or transformation in the current dystopia.
- Dream Logs or Diaries:
- Creative submissions documenting dreams, visions, or subconscious insights into belief systems.
- Letters or Prayers:
- Written forms of communication that address higher powers, ancestors, or the community, offering reflections on faith and transformation.
- Mythic or Symbolic Narratives:
- Fictionalized accounts of beliefs, icons, or experiences, incorporating myth, fantasy, or allegory.
- Visual Contributions or Glossaries:
- Diagrams, cards, artworks, or lists of definitions that explore the intangible, sacred, or transformative elements of belief and spirituality.