FoolishPeople

FoolishPeople 09 Metamorphose

We've been purposely quiet since ‘Dead Language’ dropped in 2007. Apart from ‘Terra:Extremitas- the End of the Earth’ in August 2008, I've been watching, writing and preparing. 

FP are now in the unique position of creating art, while events we predicted & prophesied in past productions happen all over the world:

• Ruined Steel - 2004: Catastrophic debt and a subsequent global financial crisis. 
• Dark Nights of the Soul - 2005-2006: Decline of western civilization. 
• Dead Language - 2007: The death of culture and the uncontrollable piracy that destroys a greedy entertainment industry. 

FoolishPeople have restated our aims and objectives to portray what is happening right now at the epicentre of the art we create. We're ready to experiment and imagine new ways of manifesting art that enables us to face ultimate change. We'll be collaborating with new creative partners in order to create and explore the potential of hybrid myths.

Our art now exists in clearly defined product lines, which offer alternatives to mindless consumption. Populist entertainment is becoming irrelevant to the human condition. Art that places you at its centre is needed, rather than watching the same biological machines of fame repeating, repeating, repeating. Running ever corrupting versions of Ego 2.0 while worshiping aliens in the privacy of their compounds. 

We hope to offer unique and joyous ways in which we can celebrate the cracks in our collective shackles, together. 

FP will be announcing the first of our major projects for 2009 very soon. In the meantime you can download the updated FoolishPeople Portfolio.

Oracle Interview with John Harrigan

Over a year ago, John Harrigan met his friend David Blank in the basement of Treadwell's Book Shop, having just completed his thirteen-month residency at the Horse Hospital, where he wrote, directed and performed in the 'Dark Nights of the Soul' Anthology of rituals; a powerful and emotional journey for everyone involved.

The interview, which explores John's approach to magick, weaponized art and society, and also discusses his views on archetypes, retroactive magick and time was published in David's Oracle Occult magazine in Issue 8: Blue Moon 2007.

David has kindly given us a PDF of the interview in its entirety, so is now available for download on FP.com.

Thank you to David once again for transcribing this incredible interview. No-one else could have produced such a close piece which captures the true essence of the Dark Nights Anthology.

You can keep updated on the latest issues of The Oracle Occult Magazine at: www.oracleoccult.com and www.myspace.com/oracleoccultmagazine

"Time becomes this big sheet, this landscape, that you exist within that is not linear and as you go further into that landscape it gets more complicated to explain what you are...Time to me is absolutely non-linear and things are happening now that are effecting my past that don't go through you as a creation, as a person, it's literally happening then and it effects you straight away in the future...We did a lot of work in Dark Nights, in cycle three, with a future-selves working, which is where we take people through a magickal ritual to experience, to meet, themselves in the future and this future self would talk to that person and give set information." John Harrigan, The Oracle Occult Magazine

Download John Harrigan - Oracle Interview.pdf Right Click to save.

Oracle - Eight

The Oracle is an independent and contemporary occult magazine published in London, UK. It is non-sectarian and not connected with any particular occult organisation or path. It is a forum for the serious discussion and exploration of the occult in theory and practice.

The latest issue of The Oracle Occult Magazine, Oracle No. 8, will be available from the 28th July 2007 through leading occult bookshops (UK only) or online by e-mailing sales@oracleoccult.com

Oracle 8:

With a nod to the egregore - the Ouroboros who adorns the front cover in resplendent hue of earth & fire - we find ourselves entering through “the enamel blue brick Ishtar gate” as Peter Grey, author of ‘The Red Goddess’, introduces us to ‘BABALON – The Great Whore’.
From Babylon we journey to Hyperborea where David Beth (Sovereign Grand Master of the O.T.O.A/L.C.N. of Michael Bertiaux and Patriarch of the Ecclesia Gnostica Aeterna) communicates to us certain Mysteries concerning the Fraternitas Borealis, a mysterious magical and philosophical community whose work has never before been published.

Turning the page, taking a different path, we find ourselves face to face with Loki, as Mordant Carnival introduces us to Him, placing Him in historical and cultural context - with a uniquely accessible and at times playful prose style - before getting down to business with the hows and whys of dealing with Loki. Mordant’s approach to working with Loki was described to me by Stephen Grasso as Northern Voudou.

Returning to the metropolis we share a drink with David Blank, editor of the Oracle, as he discusses his personal practice as a sorcerer – The Feral Sorcerer weaving the spider’s web, spinning spells, quickening the witchblood.

Our journey ends as we find ourselves in the basement of Treadwell’s Books in Covent Garden, London, where David Blank interviews John Harrigan, Artistic Director of FoolishPeople. This interview, which took place over a three and a half hour period, explores John Harrigan’s approach to magick, art and society within context of ‘Dark Nights of The Soul’ - A thirteen-month magickal ritual in the form of a six-part anthology of plays.

The interview is a unique and in depth exposition of the Artistic Director of FoolishPeople – one of the most cutting edge and original ritual theatre companies currently extant. Their work continually pushes the boundaries of art and ritual theatre.

The Oracle invites you to enter through the gates and experience this journey for yourselves.

Oracle 8 - Contents:

BABALON - The Great Whore
by Peter Grey

Dreams of Hyperborea - Krist, Sun of God.
by David Beth

Hot Stuff - Working with Loki
by Mordant Carnival

Feral Sorcery
by David Blank

Dark Nights of The Soul
An Interview with John Harrigan of FoolishPeople

Plus Artwork by:
Mordant Carnival
Karlo Danilovic
Maryam Hashemi

---------------------------------------------

UK £3.50 / USA $9.00  (incl. P&P)

All other Overseas orders please enquire for prices.

e-mail: sales@oracleoccult.com

Website: www.myspace.com/oracleoccultmagazine

By Post:
BCM ORACLE PUBLISHING
LONDON 
WC1N 3XX

Dark Nights of The Soul - Magick Eye's best event of 2006

Magick Eye's full review of FoolishPeople's Dark Nights of the Soul. Named best event of 2006.

Ghost Redux - Photo Album by Lili Spain

We have a new photo album with pictures taken by the ever the talented Lili Spain at Ghost Redux, the FoolishPeople hosted evening at Artisland, which took place at the incredible 491 Gallery on the 2nd of February 07. Ghost Redux featured performances by The Foolminati, The League of Ridicule, The Dionysian Underground and FoolishPeople.

Ghost Redux - An evening hosted by FoolishPeople at Artisland

Featuring the Dionysion Underground and the League of Ridicule.

GHOST REDUX - A FoolishPeople hosted evening at Artisland

FoolishPeople are hosting an evening at Artisland on the 2nd of February, Ghost Redux. This is the FoolishPeople special that only aired in limbo. So if you need to see the door open into the puzzle and unknown land that is Terra Incognita then come along on the 2/1/06 8pm to 10:30pm Fountayne Road, Seven Sisters. The event is free so you have no excuses.

Artisland two runs from the 26th, 27th, 28th and reboots for another weekend on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th of February.

Details at the Artisland Myspace.

Retroactive Magic in Ritual

I'm pleased to say that I'm back at the magnificent Treadwell's on April the 15th for Retroactive Magic in Ritual, a full day workshop. I'll talk more about this type of Magick as the date gets closer, but I will say this the techniques taught and shared during this workshop were developed and refined during the Dark Nights of the Soul Anthology. They offer an insight into how the fourth dimension - Time can be interacted with in a non-linear fashion. I hope you can come along and meet one of your younger or possibly older selves. Tickets bookable from Treadwells. Full details below.

Retroactive Magic in Ritual: A Workshop with John Harrigan
15th April (Sunday) 11am – 6pm
£40 in advance
John Harrigan will take you through an experiential day workshop that exposes participants to the core magical techniques and practices that are integral to FoolishPeople’s work. You will examine retroactive time and learn how to apply it through magical ritual using powerful exercises that combine the transcendental and theurgic strands of ceremonial magic with established theatrical techniques.

Particpants also approach how these can be combined to re-examine notions of time, will and motivation, and show how these are used to shed fixed negative, inherited identities to reveal true will. This workshop is suitable for all levels of experience. Please register for this course as soon as possible as spaces are strictly limited. The cost of the day includes tea, coffee and other light refreshments. John Harrigan is director of the occultist theatre company FoolishPeople, whose cycle of plays was recently performed at the Horse Hospital Theatre in Bloomsbury. For more on FoolishPeople and the work of the company, see www.foolishpeople.org.

BOOKING: Please book in advance via info@treadwells-london.com or Tel. +44 (0)20 7240 8906. Map on our website, www.treadwells-london.com.

Sewing the Saint's Lips Shut

Video excerpt from FoolishPeople's rehearsal of 'Dark Nights of the Soul- Cycle VI: Carousel' of Santiago Genochio's lips being sewn shut.

Download FoolishPeopleRehearsals.mov

Sticky with wet desires and slick evolve; disney hurt and pentagon medicine. I want you when it’s all done, when all the stories are told. When the teeth are out and the flesh in my mouth has scales. Give your sacred role, as we ache for your pain.

Hooked into what I am, I attach you now to this purpose, as your pain becomes the conduit with which the scar heals and the bridge is built across the end into the new. Look out and stroke my face. Look at what you are, know you are the beautiful one with poena, who takes the punishment in place of those who will not face the future.

Close the gates and let your velvet passion rise as we will you to become what you were, and are. Every innocent lost in one moment of simple pain will heal via this night, as we resurrect every possibility for your species.

Let us see your quiet glory.

Goodbye

Yesterday I sat down with David Blank for an interview that will appear in Oracle Occult magazine next year. This allowed me the time to finally place all that has occurred for myself and FoolishPeople during the last year into perspective.

This year has contained so much that it has literally broken time for me. I am no longer able to experience it in the same manner as I once did. Linear is now a dead word.

So tonight is bitter sweet. Through my work with FP I have gained so much. I travel towards 07 with literally a completely new life. Everything has changed. For good and bad.  Tonight I say goodbye to everyone I lost. I also celebrate the start of the next chapter.

Happy New Year.