THE SHAMANIC SPIRIT IN 21st CENTURY ART, CULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY
Open Learning Course
Your Course Leader
Lila Moore, PhD is a lecturer, theorist, film-maker and mixed reality artist specialising in the field of Technoetic Arts. She formulated a theory of Cybernetic Futures, published in her article: The Shaman of Cybernetic Futures: Art, Ritual and Transcendence in Fields of the Networked Mind, as part of her post-doctorate at the Planetary Collegium of Plymouth University. The concept involves digital learning environments based on holistic principles and second-order cybernetics. Lila has been practising this notion in her online teaching and creative activities to encourage compassionate learning context, trigger communitas and innovation amongst learners, and counteract the narrative of violence.
Lila holds a practice-based PhD from Middlesex University in the interdisciplinary context of Screen Dance, experimental film, modern art, performance and expressive therapies. She teaches courses on the intersection of cinema, media and the arts, cultural theories, contemporary spirituality and mysticism at the Department of Mysticism and Spirituality at Zefat Academic College. Lila articulates her exploration of consciousness in her writings, mixed reality and digital artworks, e.g., Techno-Spiritual Horizons.
See more information at https://www.cyberneticinstitute.com
Course Overview
Our exploration commences at a pivotal moment in the history of humanity in which art and shamanic ritual first emerged as a combined enterprise. We will discover how the birth of art coincided with the development of transformative shamanic technologies and rites catalysed by altered states of consciousness. These primordial forms of shamanic rituals eventually shaped the modern experience of cinema, and are reflected in today’s highly visual screen-cultures. However, in the 21st century, we are called to be critically, philosophically and creatively engaged with accelerating technological expansion. Technoetics, as a field of research and practice that considers the interrelations of technology and consciousness, can assist in navigating a multidimensional, hyper-connected world, comprising psychic inner-space, cyberspace, and virtual reality in conjunction with physical and ecological reality.
In this course we will explore technoetic theory and methodology through the analysis of specially selected films, artworks, screen-dance, and mixed reality projects that intersect shamanic technologies, mythic and spiritual depictions, deriving from aboriginal, ancient and contemporary cultures. Included is the space-age peak-experience dubbed The Overview Effect (first experienced by astronauts when viewing earth from space) which has led to educational endeavors aimed at stirring an environmental worldview. We will also ponder on an experimental noetic mode of communication with cosmic or alien intelligences conducted by a SETI art and science project that harnesses The Overview Effect for potential intergalactic encounters.
Broadly, the course traces the shamanic characteristics of art and film, the significance of images reflecting noetic states and their impact on cultural trends and global paradigm shifts. It explicates the manners with which aesthetic portrayals of altered states are interlinked with shamanic and spiritual cosmologies, cultural and social ideologies, technological innovations and scientific discoveries.
The experiential aspect of the study involves Networked Rites, an online collaborative, creative and ritualistic activity designed to induce a compassionate field of consciousness and communitas.
Discover more about Dr Lila Moore and the course: The Shamanic Spirit in 21st century Art, Culture and Technology in this interview with Alef Trust founder Dr Jessica Bockler:
In this course you’ll get an opportunity to:
Entry requirements
There are no formal entry requirements to join this course. Come and study purely for personal interest and enrichment … and get the same level access as our postgraduate students who will be studying alongside you!
Enrolment information
Length of study: 10 weeks.
Before each course begins you will be provided with a Course Outline which will list the reading materials, time-lines, and any activities required as part of the course. This course features 2 discussion forums, experiential activities and several live webinars.
Fee: £400.00
In addition to extensive course materials you’ll receive 1-to-1 tuition in our unique collaborative learning environment.
Start date: February 2021
This course runs for 10 weeks and starts in February of each year. You can study at your own pace and partake in the webinars and forums as much as you like.
Enrolment/Information Request
If you would like to enrol, or request more information on our ‘The Shamanic Spirit in 21st Century Art, Culture and Technology‘ course then simply complete the form below and a member of our team will contact you. We offer a unique transformational learning experience and will be here to guide you through every step of your journey with Alef Trust.
