INNER SUN
— Fanum no.1 —
( connecting with the light within
in order to transcend it )
Fanum No. 1 (Inner Sun) is a liturgical exhibition composed of several stages, culminating in Inner Sun (Lumen Naturae) — a light and sound work that ultimately materializes within each witness.
Upon entering the gallery, visitors are welcomed by a salt-covered antechamber intended for cleansing and renewal (Identity Found and Lost). This is followed by a liminal fire ceremony (Liminal Fire – Let’s Point to the Gates of the Sun and the Land of Dreams), conceived as an opening toward the unknown. Next, a rotating sculpture designed to be activated by two people simultaneously (Litany – Oneness) functions as a mantra: a repetitive, shared action meant to transcend the phenomenology of human experience, particularly the illusion of individuality and separation.
These three works were conceived as preparatory stages, assisting visitors on their journey and allowing them to arrive open, focused, and receptive to Inner Sun (Lumen Naturae), the climax of the liturgy.
Lumen Naturae is a term drawn from the alchemical tradition, referring to the light that exists within darkness, an inner or hidden illumination. For each presentation of Inner Sun (Lumen Naturae), the soundtrack is created live and in situ by musician Sol Oosel, composed while he is immersed in, and influenced by, the flickering light environment itself.
Upon entering the gallery, visitors are welcomed by a salt-covered antechamber intended for cleansing and renewal (Identity Found and Lost). This is followed by a liminal fire ceremony (Liminal Fire – Let’s Point to the Gates of the Sun and the Land of Dreams), conceived as an opening toward the unknown. Next, a rotating sculpture designed to be activated by two people simultaneously (Litany – Oneness) functions as a mantra: a repetitive, shared action meant to transcend the phenomenology of human experience, particularly the illusion of individuality and separation.
These three works were conceived as preparatory stages, assisting visitors on their journey and allowing them to arrive open, focused, and receptive to Inner Sun (Lumen Naturae), the climax of the liturgy.
Lumen Naturae is a term drawn from the alchemical tradition, referring to the light that exists within darkness, an inner or hidden illumination. For each presentation of Inner Sun (Lumen Naturae), the soundtrack is created live and in situ by musician Sol Oosel, composed while he is immersed in, and influenced by, the flickering light environment itself.
The induction of extraordinary states of consciousness through sound and flickering light is not a new practice. Historical accounts describe how Nostradamus rhythmically moved his hand while staring at the sun, allowing flickering light to alter his waking state. Yaqui traditions are known to have incorporated flickering light during peyote ceremonies, and more recently, Brion Gysin and William S. Burroughs developed the Dreamachine—a rotating device viewed with closed eyes, designed to generate visual phenomena.
In recent decades, flickering light has re-emerged in rave culture, where transcendence is once again facilitated through repetitive sound structures and flashing light.
Auditory driving (the induction of altered states of consciousness through steady, repetitive rhythms such as drumming) remains one of the most widespread techniques used in shamanic traditions worldwide to enter trance states.
While Identity Found and Lost and Liminal Fire (Let’s Point to the Gates of the Sun and the Land of Dreams) operate as atavistic exercises in self-awareness and inner expansion, Litany (Oneness) and Inner Sun (Lumen Naturae) rely on repetition as a means of transcending ordinary consciousness and accessing an inner realm of reverie.
Ana Montiel, 2018
In recent decades, flickering light has re-emerged in rave culture, where transcendence is once again facilitated through repetitive sound structures and flashing light.
Auditory driving (the induction of altered states of consciousness through steady, repetitive rhythms such as drumming) remains one of the most widespread techniques used in shamanic traditions worldwide to enter trance states.
While Identity Found and Lost and Liminal Fire (Let’s Point to the Gates of the Sun and the Land of Dreams) operate as atavistic exercises in self-awareness and inner expansion, Litany (Oneness) and Inner Sun (Lumen Naturae) rely on repetition as a means of transcending ordinary consciousness and accessing an inner realm of reverie.
Ana Montiel, 2018
LITANY
(oneness)
Feng gongs, concrete, brass, gong mallets, metal, rope.
Dimensions variable
Dimensions variable
INNER SUN
( Lumen Naturae )
Brass, strobe lights, wood, mirror, concrete.
198 x 135 x 135 cm — 78 x 53 x 53 in
Liturgy / performance at joségarcía ,mx ( Merida — San Sebastian ) during the January 21st 2019 total lunar eclipse in Leo
Liminal Fire
(let’s point to the gates of the sun and the land of dreams)
Optical glass, Calea Zacatechichi, brass, concrete.
Dimensions variable
Identity Found and Lost
