Over the past few years a new sub-genre of photography has emerged. In some cases it has been dubbed “New Mysticism,” and that is how I will refer to it as well. Photographers such as Noel Rodo-Vankeulen, Hannah Whittaker, David Laspina, and Grant Willing are just a few of the artists involved in or associated with this mini-movement, or whatever you’d like to call it. The Humble Arts Foundation has been a chief proponent of this style of photography by consistently including this type of work in their group shows, solo shows, and limited edition print runs. This solo show from Ron Jude is a particularly good example. Even though Jude’s “Alpine Star” series is more of a curatorial project, many of the images he chooses have an occult or mystic quality/connotation to them, and could be easily seen as work in the same vein as some of the other artist’s I’ve mentioned.
Rone Jude, From "Alpine Star"
Ron Jude, From "Alpine Star"
Ron Jude, From "Alpine Star"
There is an interview here with Jon Feinstein, the curator of Humble Arts, in which he discusses where this photographic mysticism is coming from. His answer is nice but very general, citing abstract expressionists and steps beyond post-modernism and “narrative” photography.
I’d like to muse for a bit about the possible influences of this New Mysticism and why it is gaining more popularity. This movement is often paired with the triumphant return of black and white to fine art photography. Many “new mystic” artists are pairing B/W images with color work, or even exclusively photographing in B/W. This is important because large, straight, color photographs have been the medium of choice in fine art photo for quite some time now. This break from color exclusivity is also a metaphorical break, a break from narrative, and a break from documentary (even though B/W is still the choice for many photojournalists). With this break comes a reconnection with photographic history that was lost or obscured before. In some cases, these new images have an old or vintage aesthetic, and I can’t help but think of “The Perfect Medium: Photography and the Occult,” a show that I saw at the Met in 2005. Here are some sample images:
Theodor Prinz, Ghost, ca. 1900
Eugène Thiébault, Henri Robin and a Specter, 1863
There were also a few of these “ectoplasm” images in the show:
These images remind of some of Noel’s work:
Great Grandfather and Freemasons, 2008
From "Karst" Artist's Book
And some of Grant Willing’s new work from “Svart“:
Grant Willing
Grant Willing
I think the definition of the word Occult is important to keep in mind. I am particularly referring to the second definition though: ”beyond the range of ordinary knowledge or understanding; mysterious.” And I can’t help but put Bruce Nauman’s piece in here:
Bruce Nauman, Window or Wall Sign, 1967
There could be many theories put forth as to to where this New Mysticism movement is coming from, but I personally am looking to current events, and their effect on the cultural psyche. Over the past 8 years the U.S. government has been controlled by the Right, and therefore, at least somewhat, the Religious Right. Pair this with a “holy war” on an unknown, un-findable, and undefinable enemy, and the general mysteries, rumors, and misconceptions about Islam that ran rampant after 9/11. Now, as we spiral into a deep recession, our future is uncertain, and we as people, and as artists, are fearful, and trying to make sense of things. I see much of this work as a visual incarnation of a set of feelings. Jon Feinstein was right when he said that “this new ‘movement’ seems to be focused more on form and photography’s physical properties, not only for their aesthetic value, but for their metaphorical qualities as well. ” Photography’s ability to evoke a feeling, or a sense of something, rather than a specific story, is being explored to it’s fullest extent with this new work. And as dark as some of it is, there is a sense of optimism as well, as we search for some magical light to uncover what lies in shadows:
Hannah Whitaker
Noel Rodo-Vankeulen, Pagan, 2008
Noel Rodo-Vankeulen, From "Karst" Artist's Book
Grant Willing, from "Svart"
Talia Chetrit, Primary Colors Flashed at Black, 2008
