In times of uncertainty, people often turn towards technologies of magic for solace and strength. These technologies are not the props used for stage magic (rabbits in hats, scarves hidden up sleeves) but rather are tools (devices, talismans, rituals, incantations) created by humans to help them survive and thrive in a chaotic world. The exhibition Like Magic brings together artists who employ technologies of magic to resist systems that attempt to surveil and control people’s lives and stories, often because of their race, ability, sexuality, gender identity, indigeneity, or immigration status.
Simone Bailey, Raven Chacon, Grace Clark, Johanna Hedva, Gelare Khoshgozaran, Cate O’Connell-Richards, Rose Salane, Petra Szilagyi, Tourmaline, and Nate Young use healing earth, witches’ brooms, AI, divination, and more to imagine care-full and joy-full futures into being despite the peril promised by the past and present.
-Alexandra Foradas, Curator
In a new light (Healing Dirt) Activations, Grace Clark
On the day of each new moon — believed by many to be a time of rebirth — visitors to Grace Clark’s In a new light (Healing Dirt) in Like Magic are invited to enter the chapel-like room and apply charcoal earth to parts of their body in need of healing, harnessing the magic of belief in change.
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Images by Kaelan Burkett, courtesy of MASS MoCA.