Kythe Heller, ThD Candidate, Religion
Conference of the Birds
“Conference of the Birds“ is a conceptual and actual journey of thirty birds in search of the mythological Phoenix, the enlightened human being. Inspired by the medieval Sufi allegory “Manṭiq-uṭ-Ṭayr” (نطق الطیر), and the methods, practices, and ambitions of Islamic mysticism and American experimental art movements, this project foregrounds work that is both individually created and collaboratively tethered to other projects involved in a novel ecosystem of creative practice. Across poetry, film, music, visual art, installation, socially engaged practice, and new genres, this body of work was created online by the international collective Vision Lab over the course of this past year of global pandemic, racial injustice, and political malfeasance. “Conference of the Birds“ addresses the soteriological journey as inextricably intertwined with socio-political questions, in order to invent new human futures and methods of regenerative possibility.
May 4, 2021
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm