This edition celebrates the publication of Figured Stones by Paul Prudence. A masterpiece of natural philosophy, Figured Stones is a vital contribution to the emerging field of vibrant materialism. It is both a manual of visionary geology and a treatise on lithic scrying; a manifesto on rock veneration and an exploration of deep time consciousness. In vivid and lucent prose, Paul Prudence crosses the ‘blood brain barrier of dimensionality’, condensing and expanding both space and time by drawing the extremities of scale into paradoxical alignment. 

The author will introduce his book, answer questions and give a live performance. The psycho-geological theme will continue with the resonating stones of microsound artist Roel Meelkoop, and the Dutch premiere of Lemniscate Cascade, a liquid crystal performance by Evelina Domnitch and Dmitry Gelfand.

Paul Prudence is a writer and artist. His essays have been featured in Reliquiae, Substance and Holo, he is also regular contributor to Neural Mag. His audio-visual work has been exhibited and performed internationally at intermedia arts festivals.

Roel Meelkop (1963) studied visual arts and art theory at the Willem de Kooning Academy in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. During a post-graduate course at the same academy he decided to dedicate his work to sound and music. His musical activities date back to the early eighties when he started THU20, together with Jac van Bussel, Peter Duimelinks, Jos Smolders and Guido Doesborg. Aside from releases, Meelkop also creates site-specific sound installations and performance pieces in collaboration with other artists.

Evelina Domnitch and Dmitry Gelfand create multi-sensory artworks that merge physics, chemistry and computer science with uncanny philosophical practices. Having dismissed the use of recording and fixative media, their installations and performances exist as ever-transforming phenomena offered for observation. The duo’s practice has emerged through unorthodox collaborations with pioneering research groups, including LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory), the Quantum Flagship and RySQ (Rydberg Quantum Simulator). They are recipients of the Witteveen+Bos Prize (2019), Meru Art*Science Award (2018), and five Ars Electronica Honorary Mentions (2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2017).

Obviously Unthinkable is presented by iii with financial support from Creative Industries Fund NL and The Municipality of The Hague.