Description
Book SynopsisTracing embodied transformation in the context of Gaga, the Israeli dance improvisation practice, this book demystifies what Lina Aschenbrenner coins as neo-spiritual aesthetics. This book takes the reader on an analytical journey through a Gaga class, outlining the effective aesthetics of Gaga as an example for the broader field of neo-spiritualities. It distinguishes a threefold effect of Gaga practice
from a momentary extraordinary experience, to a lasting therapeutic effect, and finally Gaga's worldview potential. It situates the effect in an assemblage of interrelating aesthetics of environment, movement, and bodies. The book shows why seemingly leisure time activities such as Gaga form fruitful research objects to an academic study of religion and opens up research on neo-spiritual practices. In understanding the sensory effect of practice and its cultural and social implications, the book follows an Aesthetics of Religion approach. It departs from the idea that cognition
Trade ReviewThis book provides a rigorous analysis of how religion and dance can be studied beyond a symbolic understanding. It is a brilliant example of capturing a new movement within the landscape of the recent search for spirituality by taking embodied action seriously and offering an innovative analytical toolkit
—‘neo-spiritual aesthetics.’ This study proves how underestimated the link between religion and movement still is. * Alexandra Grieser, Assistant Professor of Religious Studies, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland *
This is a thorough, serious, interesting book on a subject not yet developed in academic literature, relevant to anyone interested in the connection between new spiritualities and body practices. * Marie Mazzella, independent scholar and anthropologist, France *
Table of ContentsList of Figures and Tables Lists Preface Acknowledgements Introduction Interlude: A Body-Focused Research Method
Part I. Gaga class—Aesthetics in Creation 1. Influential Culturescape 2. Ritual Environment Shaping Enactment 3. Body Topography in Discussion 4. The Power of Instructions 5. Transformation in Movement
PART II. Gaga Participants—Aesthetics Perceived 6. Narrating Body Knowledge 7. The Wow of Gaga 8. Gaga’s Therapeutic Impact 9. Goes Worldview 10. Concluding Thoughts Notes References Index
