Subversive Esotericism and Aesthetic Radicalism: The Myths and Rituals of Viennese Actionism

Description

In this book, Sólveig Guðmundsdóttir uncovers the crucial role of esotericism in the art of the Vienna Actionists—a group of Austrian neo-avant-garde artists, infamous for their transgressive performance art. Addressing this frequently overlooked aspect of Actionism, Guðmundsdóttir traces, historicizes, and examines the esoteric discourses in selected works: the collective manifesto Die Blutorgel (1962), Rudolf Schwarzkogler’s text Das Ästhetische Panorama (1967/68) and the performances Abreaktionsspiel (1970) by Hermann Nitsch, and Zerreißprobe (1970) by Günter Brus. Mapping out the various discursive entanglements as they appear in the works, i.e. between esotericism and psychoanalysis, fascism, gender, sexuality, aesthetics, science, orientalism and religious discourses, the author illustrates and establishes the importance of esoteric traditions for the Actionists’ art and subversive practices. The historical analysis of the artworks reflects on the cultural nexus of post-war Austria, as well as the relations between radical politics, countercultures and esotericism, and how they appear in Actionism. Guðmundsdóttir argues that to survey the historical placement of esotericism is vital for understanding not only the context of their works, but also the contradictory image of the Actionists as both anti-authoritarian and reactionary artists. Preface Contents Chapter 1: Introduction Esotericism and Art Viennese Actionism Purpose and Material Method and Terminology Positioning Esotericism Occultism, New Age, and Occulture Historical Contextualization Outline Bibliography Primary Sources Chapter 2: The Myth of the Blood Organ The Origins of Actionism Esotericism and Fascism Manifesting Utopia The Blood Organ Ritual Alchemy of the Actionists Putrefaction and Purification (Re-)Birth Seeking Redemption Negating Myth Existence-Mysticism Gesamtkunstwerk The Artist as a Seer The Artist as a Messiah Conclusion Bibliography Primary Sources Chapter 3: The Nature of the Aesthetic Panorama The Visions of Rudolf Schwarzkogler Eastern Spirituality and Western Occultism Plural Realities The Body as a Mediator The Multiple Body The Physical Plane Gnosis of Totality A Cosmic Adventure of the Senses Life Rituals Curative Practices Purgatory of the Senses Conclusion Bibliography Primary Sources Chapter 4: Performative Satanism and Pornographic Gestures Abreaction Play Pornographic Actionists Defilement of the Sacred Carnal Rites Satanic Performances Orgiastic Forces The Sacrificial Lamb The Radical Politics of Satanism Conclusion Bibliography Primary Sources Chapter 5: Radical Androgyny and Shamanic Rites Endurance Test The Shaman Initiation Rites The Holy Illness Performing Gender Hierarchies of Masculinity Transvestite Actions Crisis of Masculinity Fascist Masculinity The (Un)Masculine Other Sexualization of the Other The Utopian Other Shamanic Rites Anima and Animus Conclusion Bibliography Primary Sources Chapter 6: Epilogue Actionism and Esotericism Between Counter-Discourse and Hegemonic Knowledge Production Contemporary Art and Esotericism Index