BEYOND THE ALTAR
Readings and conversation for artists, philosophers, magicians, witches, and heretics
THE TOPICS, THE TIME, & THE PLACE
JANUARY: CONVERSATION
FEBRUARY: CRITICALITY
MARCH: PHILOSOPHY
APRIL: REALITY
MAY: SPECTACLE
JUNE: THE SUBLIME
JULY: PROBLEMATIZING WILDERNESS
AUGUST: ENCHANTMENT & DISENCHANTMENT
SEPTEMBER: THE CITY & THE CITY
OCTOBER: PLASTIC CAVE, MEDIA, & THE HYPERREAL
NOVEMBER: SOCIAL DILEMMAS & THE ENCLOSURE OF MEDIA
DECEMBER: BLACK MIRROR
To join the Beyond The Altar conversation series:
PREVIOUS TOPICS, 2022:
SEPTEMBER: THEORY
OCTOBER: QUEERNESS
NOVEMBER: PERCEIVING
DECEMBER: CURIOSITY
FEBRUARY: CRITICALITY
MARCH: PHILOSOPHY
APRIL: REALITY
MAY: SPECTACLE
JUNE: THE SUBLIME
JULY: PROBLEMATIZING WILDERNESS
AUGUST: ENCHANTMENT & DISENCHANTMENT
SEPTEMBER: THE CITY & THE CITY
OCTOBER: PLASTIC CAVE, MEDIA, & THE HYPERREAL
NOVEMBER: SOCIAL DILEMMAS & THE ENCLOSURE OF MEDIA
DECEMBER: BLACK MIRROR
- You don't have to wait to sign up, and you don't have to sign up right away. Feel free to sign up any time! Even if you only read or listen to or watch one thing, there's no doubt you'll still have lots to contribute to the discussion and these conversations are ongoing and evergreen in Discord channels, where resources are provided.
- If you can't make either of the discussions on Zoom or Discord, you can also just join to be a part of the ongoing discussion in Discord over the course of the month!
- One month of independent study; discussion at the beginning of the following month
- First Saturdays, live 1 hour Zoom discussion 2pm EDT/11am PDT
- Since these aren't lectures, the Zoom discussions won't be recorded unless the group wants me to. In my experience, people are shy to join a conversation when it's being recorded, so this will be up to the group each month.
- Discord is the archive for previous group discussions and resources. If you're unable to attend the video meetup, this will be the place to catch up!
- While I have a year's worth of topics revealed (more tba), this is not a year-long program and you're under no obligation to commit to an entire year. Patreon makes subscriptions really easy, and you can change your subscription to a lower tier or cancel at any time!
To join the Beyond The Altar conversation series:
- Join my Patreon and select either the Collaborator ($15), Interrogator ($20), or Instigator ($30) tiers
- If you don't have a Discord account, Patreon will prompt you, or you can make one beforehand
- Join at the Seeker tier for $5 if you would like to support my work and join a general Discord channel to get a feel for what we're all about!
PREVIOUS TOPICS, 2022:
SEPTEMBER: THEORY
OCTOBER: QUEERNESS
NOVEMBER: PERCEIVING
DECEMBER: CURIOSITY
WHAT IT'S ABOUT
Beyond the Altar is a discussion-based course series offered through Patreon and hosted on Discord that offers readings and discussions on art, culture, mysticism, philosophy, history, and politics. But this isn't an academic space to theorize. It's a community space where we share some theory, but also art, movies, memes, podcasts, and other media to understand how these complex ideas have shaped our daily lives. We read and discuss topics to understand social, cultural, and political patterns; and to ultimately recognize the present and enduring enchantment of our surrounding world. I believe grappling with some of the ideas in these theories and histories helps ground us in where and how that work shows up with impact in our world through the way we live.
The altar, in this context, locates the site of creativity and creation, of work according to will, of action; it is the artist and maker’s crucible, the forge; it is the site of inquiry, research, and interrogation; it is the database and the pen. It is meant to assume, and imply, we are all inherently creative people doing creative things whether or not we’re artists, writers, musicians; thinkers, teachers, philosophers; coders or engineers; witches or magicians; activists, abolitionists, and healers. We make things to shape the way people feel and change the world, and how we do so has explicit political implications and impact beyond our site of creation--beyond the altar. In this way, hopefully, the work we do inspires observation, analysis, synthesis, and critical thinking; all towards the end of engaging in deeper, more thoughtful observation and conversation.
The altar, in this context, locates the site of creativity and creation, of work according to will, of action; it is the artist and maker’s crucible, the forge; it is the site of inquiry, research, and interrogation; it is the database and the pen. It is meant to assume, and imply, we are all inherently creative people doing creative things whether or not we’re artists, writers, musicians; thinkers, teachers, philosophers; coders or engineers; witches or magicians; activists, abolitionists, and healers. We make things to shape the way people feel and change the world, and how we do so has explicit political implications and impact beyond our site of creation--beyond the altar. In this way, hopefully, the work we do inspires observation, analysis, synthesis, and critical thinking; all towards the end of engaging in deeper, more thoughtful observation and conversation.
HOW IT WORKS
Beyond the Altar is accessed through my Patreon where I have two tiers with the same benefits to accommodate accessibility and patronage simultaneously. Resources and conversation are provided through Discord.
Topics and materials are posted well in advance so you can be fully prepared in regards to setting aside reading time and putting the main event in your calendar. I’ll post a set of resources ranging from essays and academic papers to podcasts, movies, and memes to study over the course of one month, to discuss at the beginning of the following month—for example, October’s discussions will be studied over the course of September. Note-taking and outlining a few questions for yourself is encouraged, to facilitate discussion. From signup to the day of the event please feel free to chat and share in discussion. A lot of folks like to buddy up and form a study group/discussion to get through the material and take notes together, that seems to be pretty popular!
On the first Saturday of each month, we’ll meet for a Zoom session to come together for a collective discussion. After the event, further conversation and resource-sharing is encouraged in the Discord server including an in-channel discussion on the second Saturday of each month. You have the option of joining the server-only discussion, Zoom only, or both! As a disabled and neurodiverse individual with an understanding of complicated and busy work schedules, teaching at the advent of the pandemic taught me the potential of asynchronous and flexible learning options, and I found that as an instructor I came to this material more readily, and my students were able to, as well. Flexibility is key!
Topics and materials are posted well in advance so you can be fully prepared in regards to setting aside reading time and putting the main event in your calendar. I’ll post a set of resources ranging from essays and academic papers to podcasts, movies, and memes to study over the course of one month, to discuss at the beginning of the following month—for example, October’s discussions will be studied over the course of September. Note-taking and outlining a few questions for yourself is encouraged, to facilitate discussion. From signup to the day of the event please feel free to chat and share in discussion. A lot of folks like to buddy up and form a study group/discussion to get through the material and take notes together, that seems to be pretty popular!
On the first Saturday of each month, we’ll meet for a Zoom session to come together for a collective discussion. After the event, further conversation and resource-sharing is encouraged in the Discord server including an in-channel discussion on the second Saturday of each month. You have the option of joining the server-only discussion, Zoom only, or both! As a disabled and neurodiverse individual with an understanding of complicated and busy work schedules, teaching at the advent of the pandemic taught me the potential of asynchronous and flexible learning options, and I found that as an instructor I came to this material more readily, and my students were able to, as well. Flexibility is key!
WHY I THINK THIS IS IMPORTANT
What we make, and what we do, is a reflection of the way we perceive the world and its various structures; how we confront, and are confronted by, our perceptions and challenges. Critical theory and philosophy help us contextualize our work and our place in the world through interrogating the “what”, “why”, and “how” we do what we do in it. It reveals the patterns throughout time that impact all corners of our histories, cultures, trends, and ways of thinking. The point is not to muse, ponder, and intellectually exercise our minds in the safety of our homes. The point is to take the wisdom of people who have brought these ideas to light and apply them out in the world, in everyday life, to put what we learn into practice; to be embedded materially towards the action that is grounded in and illuminated by what we learn. Many of the authors we’ll read might not have necessarily identified themselves as “theorists”, or may have not had the luxury. They were deeply immersed in the material conditions that drove them towards their revolutionary positions, declarations, and writings. But they knew the power of ideas as shared with others, and how to enact them to effect great change. And that is what I hope we can all do.
In the moments when we’re learning, sharing, and exchanging in theory, we use these resources as a point of departure to examine ideas across disciplinary boundaries, and to engage discussion that reflects how these ideas already shape the way we move and act and effect change in our world. I’ve brought this forward in a non-academic setting because I don’t believe it is the sole provenance of academia. I believe most of us are intellectually curious and seeking ways to express nuanced, complex ideas that strengthen our collaborative impact on it. Philosophy and theory are meant to be applied practically to our day to day; they lead to action, they inspire and motivate us to learn and change in creative ways; and I believe that through each of us, we have the power to share these ideas in our communities to further conversation, collaboration, and change.
In the moments when we’re learning, sharing, and exchanging in theory, we use these resources as a point of departure to examine ideas across disciplinary boundaries, and to engage discussion that reflects how these ideas already shape the way we move and act and effect change in our world. I’ve brought this forward in a non-academic setting because I don’t believe it is the sole provenance of academia. I believe most of us are intellectually curious and seeking ways to express nuanced, complex ideas that strengthen our collaborative impact on it. Philosophy and theory are meant to be applied practically to our day to day; they lead to action, they inspire and motivate us to learn and change in creative ways; and I believe that through each of us, we have the power to share these ideas in our communities to further conversation, collaboration, and change.
MY TEACHING EXPERIENCE & HOW I FACILITATE
Beyond the Altar began as a test run in November 2021 with Beyond the Altar: The Politics of Restorative Ancestor Practices, which I presented at the In the Roundhouse of the Ancestors online conference. For this lecture, I combined my experience of facilitating participatory college-level seminar classes with material from former courses I taught on reconnecting to ancestors, folk traditions, and ancestral practices to facilitate a group discussion on where and how that work shows up with impact in our world through the politics we live.
I have a history of educational work across multiple careers but this became a profession in 2006 with visual arts instruction and curriculum-building, which I continued through 2020, culminating in work as an adjunct professor at Cornish College of the Arts. You can read my bio, which also links to my full CV, by clicking here. Due to the pandemic, I’ve been on hiatus but I realized at the end of 2021 that I didn’t want to return, and that my work is better suited outside academia, which I learned through teaching other materials on more esoteric subjects outside academia.
My teaching/facilitating style is fast, loose, and collaborative. I'm not interested in hierarchical top-down instruction. I expect that every person in any of my courses arrives with a lifetime of accumulated experience, irrespective of age; if longer-lived, I assume expertise in a given subject or vocation. Perhaps you're a leader, teacher, or mentor in your field; but like many of us, a specialist in one area and building a foundation in another, such as the topics we're exploring.
I have an annoying penchant for specificity. I will not pretend to be neutral, I will not attempt to feign objectivity. I have biases. But part of the purpose of this course series is to nurture a space where we collectively share, voice, and discuss our observations and our opinions to work out what a conversation looks like in a situation where people meet each other where they are, as they are, to step outside of the pressure of perfection to get together in some of the most compelling questions of our time.
Acknowledgement: I live on the unceded lands of the Coast Salish peoples. 10% of my Patreon earnings go to Indigenous-led direct action, I and encourage you to seek out similar support through donations to Indigenous organizations, rent, tax, or land trust programs and initiatives in your own areas!
Native Governance Center, Beyond Land Acknowledgment: A Guide
Native Land Digital
Native Land, Territory Acknowledgement Resources
Nii’kinaaganaa Foundation
Partnership with Native Americans
Real Rent Duwamish
Seattle Urban Native Nonprofits
Sogorea Te’ Land Trust
I have a history of educational work across multiple careers but this became a profession in 2006 with visual arts instruction and curriculum-building, which I continued through 2020, culminating in work as an adjunct professor at Cornish College of the Arts. You can read my bio, which also links to my full CV, by clicking here. Due to the pandemic, I’ve been on hiatus but I realized at the end of 2021 that I didn’t want to return, and that my work is better suited outside academia, which I learned through teaching other materials on more esoteric subjects outside academia.
My teaching/facilitating style is fast, loose, and collaborative. I'm not interested in hierarchical top-down instruction. I expect that every person in any of my courses arrives with a lifetime of accumulated experience, irrespective of age; if longer-lived, I assume expertise in a given subject or vocation. Perhaps you're a leader, teacher, or mentor in your field; but like many of us, a specialist in one area and building a foundation in another, such as the topics we're exploring.
I have an annoying penchant for specificity. I will not pretend to be neutral, I will not attempt to feign objectivity. I have biases. But part of the purpose of this course series is to nurture a space where we collectively share, voice, and discuss our observations and our opinions to work out what a conversation looks like in a situation where people meet each other where they are, as they are, to step outside of the pressure of perfection to get together in some of the most compelling questions of our time.
Acknowledgement: I live on the unceded lands of the Coast Salish peoples. 10% of my Patreon earnings go to Indigenous-led direct action, I and encourage you to seek out similar support through donations to Indigenous organizations, rent, tax, or land trust programs and initiatives in your own areas!
Native Governance Center, Beyond Land Acknowledgment: A Guide
Native Land Digital
Native Land, Territory Acknowledgement Resources
Nii’kinaaganaa Foundation
Partnership with Native Americans
Real Rent Duwamish
Seattle Urban Native Nonprofits
Sogorea Te’ Land Trust