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stones-workshop [2018-12-09 03:31] – created majastones-workshop [2018-12-20 10:50] (current) maja
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-==== Stones-workshop ====+==== Attuning to Stones ==== 
 + 
 +For [[http://constantvzw.org/site/-Alchorisma,217-.html|Alchorisma]], Constant's work-session (2018-12-02 to 2018-12-08) looking at integrating cosmogenetic views with the charisma surrounding technology, FoAM focused on geological substrates of digital technology. From our temporary outpost in Japan, we invited the participants to work with attunement as a way to reestablish relationships with geological entities and glacial timescales, to experiment with algorithms to re-confuse binary distinctions between nature and culture, human and non-human, life and death.  
 + 
 +Photos and collages from the worksession are made by [[http://gallery.constantvzw.org/index.php/Alchorisma-worksession|Peter Westerberg]].
  
-For [[http://constantvzw.org/site/-Alchorisma,217-.html|Alchorisma]], Constant's work-session looking at integrating cosmogenetic views with the charisma surrounding technology, FoAM focused on geological substrates of digital technology. From our temporary outpost in Japan, we invited the participants to work with attunement as a way to reestablish relationships with geological entities and glacial timescales, to experiment with algorithms to re-confuse binary distinctions between nature and culture, human and non-human, life and death.  
  
 === Introduction === === Introduction ===
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 Attunement practices are common in animist cultures, and can be found throughout human societies. There are some obvious resonances with current philosophical tendencies of speculative realism or the long winding trails of panpsychism. Yet attunement is a concept that is often difficult to grasp in words, especially words that make sense outside of philosophical, ritual, performative or meditative discourses. It can most definitely not be abstracted as a set of algorithms. Exactly this slippery quality of attunement is what makes it interesting for this work session. This morning we'll explore attuning to the lithic entities in our surroundings. Attunement practices are common in animist cultures, and can be found throughout human societies. There are some obvious resonances with current philosophical tendencies of speculative realism or the long winding trails of panpsychism. Yet attunement is a concept that is often difficult to grasp in words, especially words that make sense outside of philosophical, ritual, performative or meditative discourses. It can most definitely not be abstracted as a set of algorithms. Exactly this slippery quality of attunement is what makes it interesting for this work session. This morning we'll explore attuning to the lithic entities in our surroundings.
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 +{{::06-kompelator.jpeg?400 |}}
  
 When we talk about stones and rock, we talk about the thin, solidified crust of minerals that are part of the ground of the planet. Some of them are formed from recycled bodies of plants, animals and insects; some are the Earth's volcanic and sedimentary regurgitations, others are as old as the planet and the stars that gave birth to it. While you might see yourself as a very different being from the stone in your hand, minerals circulate through your body, shape your bones and support your digestion. When you die, you will return to the mineral realm. The organic dissipated into the inorganic. On a geological timescale human bodies are as much in a state of transition as wind, weather or lava. Flowing and temporary. We endure continuous erosion and our inevitable entropy. Geology and biology, geology and technology, our inner and outer topographies are inextricably entangled. When we talk about stones and rock, we talk about the thin, solidified crust of minerals that are part of the ground of the planet. Some of them are formed from recycled bodies of plants, animals and insects; some are the Earth's volcanic and sedimentary regurgitations, others are as old as the planet and the stars that gave birth to it. While you might see yourself as a very different being from the stone in your hand, minerals circulate through your body, shape your bones and support your digestion. When you die, you will return to the mineral realm. The organic dissipated into the inorganic. On a geological timescale human bodies are as much in a state of transition as wind, weather or lava. Flowing and temporary. We endure continuous erosion and our inevitable entropy. Geology and biology, geology and technology, our inner and outer topographies are inextricably entangled.
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 According to Arabic geomancers, the masters of "science of the sand", patterns are already present in the noise, one just needs attune to their inherent dynamics. Geomancy is about reading the landscape, a kind of elemental scrying that suggests possibilities which are able to be influenced by the intentions of the practitioner. Geomancy does not offer solutions but propositions for possible future relationships between single human lives and an indifferent universe. An algorithmic pattern finding, a structured practice to focus intent and create meaning from the noise of matter. According to Arabic geomancers, the masters of "science of the sand", patterns are already present in the noise, one just needs attune to their inherent dynamics. Geomancy is about reading the landscape, a kind of elemental scrying that suggests possibilities which are able to be influenced by the intentions of the practitioner. Geomancy does not offer solutions but propositions for possible future relationships between single human lives and an indifferent universe. An algorithmic pattern finding, a structured practice to focus intent and create meaning from the noise of matter.
  
 +<html><a data-flickr-embed="true"  href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/foam/albums/72157703407322714" title="Alchorisma"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/806/25977815417_3f4eb32465_b.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt="Alchorisma"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script></html>
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 +{{::collected-stones.jpg?400 |}}
 Our intention for this session is to explore different modes of engagement with the lithic, from experiential and associative, to abstract and analytical. The emphasis here is on the practice itself rather than achieving a specific goal. Practice is about directly experiencing something and reflecting on the experience in order to refine the practice, then repeating the process. Since we'll have limted time today, we can only skim the surface of these practices, but hopefully provide enough of a taste for you to take them further.  Our intention for this session is to explore different modes of engagement with the lithic, from experiential and associative, to abstract and analytical. The emphasis here is on the practice itself rather than achieving a specific goal. Practice is about directly experiencing something and reflecting on the experience in order to refine the practice, then repeating the process. Since we'll have limted time today, we can only skim the surface of these practices, but hopefully provide enough of a taste for you to take them further. 
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 From a practical perspective, this morning will consist of a series of short exercises. We will provide step-by-step instructions and will be online to assist if you have any questions. We'd like you to begin with a psychogeological meander through the city, guided by patterns in, on and of stones. We suggest that you do this practice individually and in silence. You will get a chance to share your experiences and insights with others once you return. We will explore your individual associations, collective impressions and emerging alchorismatic processes. We will end the morning with a session for collective feedback. In the mean time, if you have any questions, comments or feedback for us, please put them on the etherpad. From a practical perspective, this morning will consist of a series of short exercises. We will provide step-by-step instructions and will be online to assist if you have any questions. We'd like you to begin with a psychogeological meander through the city, guided by patterns in, on and of stones. We suggest that you do this practice individually and in silence. You will get a chance to share your experiences and insights with others once you return. We will explore your individual associations, collective impressions and emerging alchorismatic processes. We will end the morning with a session for collective feedback. In the mean time, if you have any questions, comments or feedback for us, please put them on the etherpad.
  
 +----
  
 === Psychogeology === === Psychogeology ===
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 A psychogeological meander guided by patterns in/on/of stones.  A psychogeological meander guided by patterns in/on/of stones. 
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 +{{ ::psychogeology-reflections.jpg?400|}}
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 We assume you all know about psychogeography - exploration of urban environments that emphasize "drifting", whereby you observe the effects of the geographical environment you're passing through on your emotions and behaviours. We invite you to do something similar, but focus specifically on the stones and rocks you encounter.  We assume you all know about psychogeography - exploration of urban environments that emphasize "drifting", whereby you observe the effects of the geographical environment you're passing through on your emotions and behaviours. We invite you to do something similar, but focus specifically on the stones and rocks you encounter. 
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 Aim to be back in half an hour.  Aim to be back in half an hour. 
  
 +----
  
 === Collective work session === === Collective work session ===
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 (slides 2-6 can be found at -> http://locust.fo.am/instructions-psychogeology.pdf ) (slides 2-6 can be found at -> http://locust.fo.am/instructions-psychogeology.pdf )
  
 +{{::collective_session.jpg?400 |}}
  
-When you return work in small groups (3-6 people). [note for moderator: groups can be formed in order of people coming back, so they can start the exercise as soon as they return.]+When you return from the psychogeological drift, break-out into small groups (3-6 people). 
  
 1. Share what you have individually uncovered in the city. What did you experience? What did you notice? What does the city look like from the perspective of geological patterns? What algorithms could produce these patterns? duration  ~20 mins 1. Share what you have individually uncovered in the city. What did you experience? What did you notice? What does the city look like from the perspective of geological patterns? What algorithms could produce these patterns? duration  ~20 mins
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 5. Collective feedback. What was easy to describe as algorithms? What fell outside of the algorithmic approach? What effect did applying another group's algorithm have on you? What is a lithic perspective? What might be appropriate to explore from the lithic perspective? duration ~30 mins 5. Collective feedback. What was easy to describe as algorithms? What fell outside of the algorithmic approach? What effect did applying another group's algorithm have on you? What is a lithic perspective? What might be appropriate to explore from the lithic perspective? duration ~30 mins
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 === Further reading === === Further reading ===
  
-[[Alchorisma_reader]] +  * [[Alchorisma reader]] 
- +  * [[Alchorisma daily reflections]] 
-See also [[alchorisma_daily_reflections]]+  [[https://www.flickr.com/photos/foam/albums/72157703407322714|Alchorisma album on flickr]]
  
    
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  • stones-workshop.1544326279.txt.gz
  • Last modified: 2018-12-09 03:31
  • by maja