★PREVIEW★ 144. - Spiritual S*ros: Rituals, the SCCA, and The Influencing Machine - Aaron K. Moulton

Art Curator/Anthropologist Aaron Moulton comes on to discuss how art/media can become both a vehicle for social engineering and the communication of spiritual aspirations. He details his research into the Soros Centre for Contemporary Art, linked to the Open Society foundation and its introduction of Western/Neoliberal forms of artistic/social practice through the opening of 20 centers in the post-Eastern Bloc. The show he curated The Influencing Machine brings into question free will vs. determinism, the role activism plays in art, and how art becomes directionalized and purposed by NGOs and other coercive structures to suit their own agenda. Other topics: Roma Witches in Bulgaria, Military E-girls, the introduction of socially engaged practice in contemporary art, AI interfacing systems vs analog creativity, the ‘permitted avant garde’ (trends, fashion), manufactured notions of creativity. esoteric knowledge, Seance Trickster Magic, secrets of the State Department and a lot more This is a preview, for entire episode, archive, bonuses, and more please consider supporting the show. Thank you all very much.