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Symposium: Tales of Superstition and Magic

All conferences and performances

Tales of Superstition and Magic is an interdisciplinary symposium dedicated to the study of belief systems and their contemporary expressions, at the intersection of artistic practice and theoretical research.

Here you will find all the talks and performances, along with contributions from the artists, researchers, writers, and practitioners who took part in the symposium.

241121-TOSM-Banniere-site (1)
The first edition of the symposium

2024

LUMA_BANNIERE SITE
The second edition of the symposium

2025

December 13–15, 2024
Tales of Superstition and Magic I

In December 2024, LUMA Arles presented an interdisciplinary symposium that sought to explore the fascinating, often mystifying world of superstition and magic.

Taking place over three days, this unique event delved into the long-standing relationship between different systems of belief and knowledge production.

Examining how a rich range of traditions and spiritual practices continue to shape cultural perspectives and personal beliefs, the symposium brought together a mix of participants whose research focused on scientific understandings as well as concepts or phenomena that sit outside the bounds of conventional disciplines.
241214_LUMA_SYMPOSIUM_MAGIE_VICTOR&SIMON_GREGOIRE_DABLON_7-3

View from the 8th floor of The Tower, which hosted the talks and exchanges for the first edition of Tales of Superstition and Magic symposium.
Photo: © Victor & Simon / Grégoire d'Ablon

Talks and performances from the first edition

naturalisme
video
Naturalism under the strain of Magnetism - Spirit Apparitions and Energetic Healing Practices Fanny Charrasse
~ 47min
Superstition
fantome des mes amis
video
The Ghost of my Friends Tom Eccles,  Tony Oursler
~ 42min
Superstition
fantomes
video
Ghosts, Communications with Extraterrestrial Spirits, Clairvoyance, Trances: How Can We Analyze These Phenomena as Historians ? Nicole Edelman
~ 36min
Superstition
1_ra9q8rd4
video
In Tenebris: the Paranormal and Critical Thinking Marine Benoit
Symposium: Tales of Superstition and Magic
~ 37min
Superstition
aviver
video
Kindling the Presence of Invisible Others Tanya Luhrmann
~ 21min
Superstition
lmnop
video
LMNOP Madison Bycroft
~ 36min
Superstition
fantastique noir
video
In the Black Fantastic Ekow Eshun
~ 44min
Superstition
steppes
video
Steppes’s Memory of the Future Saodat Ismailova,  Martin Guinard
~ 34min
Superstition
cartes
video
LUMA Birth Chart Reading Hannah Black
~ 23min
Superstition , LUMA Arles
performance
video
Performance Theaster Gates
~ 16min
Superstition , Performing Arts
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video
D-possessions or Like John Malkovich Breaking Up with Michelle Pfeiffer / It’s Beyond my Control Danai Anesiadou
Symposium: Tales of Superstition and Magic
~ 35min
Superstition
1_nqemjy9h
video
Radical Spiritualities: Ways of Reading and Practicing Jewish Tradition Beyond the Category of Religion Yuna Visentin
Symposium: Tales of Superstition and Magic
~ 44min
Superstition
1_cbrexb1l
video
Read the Magic Donatien Grau
Symposium: Tales of Superstition and Magic
~ 42min
Superstition
1_re6eos5z
video
Superstition and Magic Donatien Grau,  Hans Ulrich Obrist,  Saodat Ismailova,  Martin Guinard
Symposium: Tales of Superstition and Magic
~ 53min
Superstition

About the speakers from the first edition

During the three-day symposium, these artists, authors, and researchers gathered to discuss these ideas and explore the ways in which alternative forms of organizing perception are woven into the fabric of everyday life.
Ekow Eshun_c_ Zeinab Batchelor - jpg

Ekow Eshun

writer and curator

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240108_TheasterGates_7700

Theaster Gates

Artist

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Fanny Charrasse C Andy Battentier

Fanny Charrasse

PhD in sociology from EHESS

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Tony Oursler

Tony Oursler

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Tom Eccles

Tom Eccles

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Hannah-Black

Hannah Black

artist and writer

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Nicole Edelman

Nicole Edelman

historian and Honorary Lecturer in Contemporary History at the University of Paris X-Nanterre

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Marine Benoit c Pauline Darely-1

Marine Benoit

Journalist

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tanya-luhrmann

Tanya Luhrmann

Albert Ray Lang Professor of Anthropology at Stanford University

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2C302A3FBC3FBD6026A089C2EFC60BB1

Madison Bycroft

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Saodat Ismailovat C-anvarrakishev

Saodat Ismailova

Filmmaker and artist

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Danaï Anesidadou

Danai Anesiadou

Artist

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YunaVisentin-c-AylaSAURA

Yuna Visentin

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Donatien Grau - c Paolo Roversi

Donatien Grau

scholar, editor, author, and museum executive

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Portrait Hans Ulrich Obrist - Small

Hans Ulrich Obrist

Artistic Director of the Serpentine Galleries in London, and Senior Advisor at LUMA Arles

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December 12–14, 2025
Tales of Superstition and Magic II


In December 2025, LUMA Arles presented the second edition of Tales of Superstition and Magic, a symposium that explored how magic and superstition circulate, transform, and acquire new meanings today.

By reanimating dormant knowledge and occult lineages, the contributions to this edition opened unconventional genealogies and new pathways of understanding. Anchored in a series of performances, they illuminated the enduring and renewed connections between magic and artistic practice today. Through interdisciplinary perspectives, participants revisited the queer cultural histories of the American West Coast and Europe, explored African American cultural movements such as the Black Arts Movement, and examined how Western perceptions of vodou have shaped the reception of Haitian artistic traditions.

141225-LUMA-SYMPOSIUM-EMILELECOMTE (26)

Photo: © Émile Lecomte

Talks and performances from the second edition

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video
Carlo A. Célius, “Painting and Vodou in Haiti: Célestin Faustin Grapples with the Lwa” Carlo A. Célius
Tales of Superstition and Magic
~ 50min
Superstition
maxresdefault-1
video
Conversation with Inès Di Folco Jemni and Flora Katz Inès Di Folco Jemni,  Flora Katz
Tales of Superstition and Magic
~ 44min
Superstition
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video
Ariane Temkine, Daniela Jacob Pinto, “Cards Without Destiny: Considerations for Critical Cartomancy” Ariane Temkine,  Daniela Jacob Pinto
Tales of Superstition and Magic
~ 37min
Superstition
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video
Stephanie Seidel, “Catching Spirits: Betye Saar’s Installations” Stéphanie Seidel
Tales of Superstition and Magic
~ 49min
Superstition
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video
Conversation between Suzanne Treister and Hans Ulrich Obrist Hans Ulrich Obrist,  Suzanne Treister
Tales of Superstition and Magic
~ 47min
Superstition
maxresdefault (4)-1
video
Magick and Queer Lives in Twentieth-Century California Flora Katz,  Alexis Bard Johnson,  Judith Noble,  Julien Princesse Didier
Tales of Superstition and Magic
~ 54min
Superstition
maxresdefault (5)-1
video
Conversation between P. Staff et Vassilis Oikonomopoulos P. Staff,  Vassilis Oikonomopoulos
Tales of Superstition and Magic
~ 43min
Superstition
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video
Conversation between Tai Shani et Salma Mochtari Tai Shani
Tales of Superstition and Magic
~ 46min
Superstition
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video
Low Lov, Romain Noël. Theoretical ritual “Bellows: Magic, Mysticism, and Revolutionary Tradition” Low Lov,  Romain Noël
Tales of Superstition and Magic
~ 49min
Superstition
maxresdefault (8)-1
video
Johanna Hedva, “What Is the Opposite of an Epiphany?” Johanna Hedva
Tales of Superstition and Magic
~ 53min
Superstition

About the speakers from the second edition

Over three days, these artists, researchers, writers, and cartomancers examined the performative force of magic—its ability to shape reality through gesture, language, and collective imagination.
Carlo A. Célius_Julien Brachhammer

Carlo A. Célius

Historian and Art Historian, Research Director at the CNRS, member of the Institut des Mondes Africains

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Alexis Bard Johnson

Alexis Bard Johnson

PhD, Curator

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Gaëlle Choisne_Credit Timofey Kolesnikov

Gaëlle Choisne

Artist

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Inès Di Folco Jemni_Gemma Janes

Inès Di Folco Jemni

Artist

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Johanna Hedva_Ian Byers-Gamber

Johanna Hedva

Writer, Artist and Musician

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Portrait Daniela Jacob Pinto

Daniela Jacob Pinto

PhD Student in Social Anthropology and Ethnology, EHESS

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low lov by sam clarke

Low Lov

Artist and Musician

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Daniele Morelli

Daniele Morelli

Guitarist and Composer

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Kettly Noël par Josué Azor

Kettly Noël

Dancer, Choreographer and Actress

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Judith Noble

Judith Noble

Professor Emerita of Film and the Occult, Arts University Plymouth

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Romain-Noël

Romain Noël

Writer

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Portrait Hans Ulrich Obrist - Small

Hans Ulrich Obrist

Artistic Director of the Serpentine Galleries in London, and Senior Advisor at LUMA Arles

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Julien Princesse Didier

Julien Princesse Didier

Translator and Queer Environmentalist

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D11EA3755DAE5022CB06BDA0B5F7EBFF

P. Staff

Artist

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Stephanie-Seidel_Chris-Carter

Stéphanie Seidel

Curator and Researcher

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Tai-Shani

Tai Shani

Artist

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Ariane Temkine_ Sasha Ertel

Ariane Temkine

PhD Student in Cultural Studies, EHESS

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Suzanne-Treister_claudia-marcelloni

Suzanne Treister

Artist

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Related to:

241121-tosm-banniere-site_720
From December 13, 2024 to December 15, 2024
Symposium: Tales of Superstition and Magic 2024
Conference Workshop
LUMA Arles presents an interdisciplinary symposium that seeks to explore the fascinating, often mystifying world of superstition and magic. Taking place over three days, this unique event delves into the long-standing relationship between different systems of belief and knowledge production.
Symposium: Tales of Superstition and Magic
From December 12, 2025 to December 14, 2025
Symposium: Tales of Superstition and Magic 2025
LUMA Arles presents the second edition of Tales of Superstition and Magic, a symposium exploring how magic and superstition circulate, transform, and acquire new meanings today.

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