The New Society for Universal Harmony

Submitted by admin on Wed, 02/03/2016 - 16:33
TitleThe New Society for Universal Harmony
Year for Search2005
AuthorsMalen, Lenore
Date Published2005
PublisherGranary Books
Place PublishedNew York
KeywordsFemale author
Annotation

Art book describing the reinvention of a utopian experiment founded in Paris in 1783 by Franz Anton Mesmer (1734-1851), of mesmerism/hypnotism fame. The reinvention places the community in the contemporary United States and traces its rise and fall. The book represents a mid-point on an ongoing project that, under the title given to the book, originated in 1999 as “La Société de l'harmonie universelle,” a performance/exhibition that was presented from then until 2008. “Harmony as a Hive” is a performance piece presented between 2007 and 2009. “I Am an Animal, Part 1” (2009) is a documentary film about beekeepers. “Part 2” (2012) is a video installation that imagines human civilization as a hive. “Scenes of Paradise” (2015-2017) is a multimedia presentation of various scenarios, all of which are informed by climate change. The group of artists who work with her also uses the name The New Society for Universal Harmony.
Holding Institutions

PSt, RPB
Author Note

Female author.
Full Text

2005 Malen, Lenore. The New Society for Universal Harmony. New York: Granary Books. PSt, RPB

Art book describing the reinvention of a utopian experiment founded in Paris in 1783 by Franz Anton Mesmer (1734-1851), of mesmerism/hypnotism fame. The reinvention places the community in the contemporary United States and traces its rise and fall. The book represents a mid-point on an ongoing project that, under the title given to the book, originated in 1999 as “La Société de l'harmonie universelle,” a performance/exhibition that was presented from then until 2008. “Harmony as a Hive” is a performance piece presented between 2007 and 2009. “I Am an Animal, Part 1” (2009) is a documentary film about beekeepers. “Part 2” (2012) is a video installation that imagines human civilization as a hive. “Scenes of Paradise” (2015-2017) is a multimedia presentation of various scenarios, all of which are informed by climate change. The group of artists who work with her also uses the name The New Society for Universal Harmony. Female author.