Constructed like a thriller, this film is a journey of exploration with an unknown destination, guided by the stars, the gods and the prophets. Based on the history of the Carroll Righter Institute and named after Theodor W. Adorno’s eponymous essay, the narrative originates in the legacy of the astrologer and theosophist Alan Leo, who developed an astrology envisaged as pattern recognition rather than prediction. In keeping with its subject, with the first scenes set in an astrology class, the film was shot mainly in Los Angeles, a city where we’re surrounded by stars and cosmic signs, such as Universal Studios, Mars Property Management, Venus Art and Flowers, Moonstar Auto Care and Apollo Insurance. In this allegory, the symbolism of colour predominates and the signs of the zodiac are taught as so many signs of our fate. The artist observes the simultaneous existence of different systems of information and adroitly falls in with their apparent anachronism. “Did you know the city of Los Angeles is a Virgo?”
Originally from Montréal, Margaret Haines is an artist whose multidisciplinary, research-based practice combines, in singular fashion, film, literature, philosophy, astrology, photography and installation. She studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, Concordia University and the California Institute of the Arts, has exhibited in London, Brussels, The Hague, Paris, New York and Los Angeles, and is a recent resident of the Rijksakademie van beeldende kunsten in Amsterdam. She is currently completing her forthcoming book on the life and work of the artist, poet, actress and occultist Marjorie Cameron Parsons.
