Five Alchemists. One Book. A Universe of Ideas.
In November 2023, the second annual Alchemy Lecture took place at York University, drawing a sold-out audience in person and nearly a thousand online viewers. Moderated by Dr. Christina Sharpe, a diverse group of thought-provoking thinkers, or “Alchemists,” gathered to share their visionary ideas of a more beautiful world. These conversations, shaped by their varied disciplines and global perspectives, have been captured and expanded upon in the pages of this book.
Joseph M. Pierce, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, argues that “for this decolonial future to take root, our guiding force must shift from capital to relationships.” Brazilian film curator Janaína Oliveira draws from her curatorial practice, evoking music and movement as vital forms of connection: “It’s almost by falling that you live… The beautiful world dances the stumbles. The beautiful world dances dancing.” Kenyan-British visual artist Phoebe Boswell, through the lens of a virtual gallery, challenges: “If we burn down the institution, what comes after? Do we trust ourselves to know?” Professor Saidiya Hartman pushes us to examine our potential for transformation, acknowledging that “pragmatism leads to a profound tolerance for the unlivable.” Mexican-American writer Cristina Rivera Garza introduces the language of the future, written in the subjunctive, “the smuggler who crosses the border with unknown cargo.”
Each Alchemist explores what it means to carry the weight of this future and how we can shape it together. Through their powerful, thought-provoking essays, new ways of existing are proposed, offering a guide to a future we can build towards—a truly beautiful world.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.