Magical Thinking, of Systems and Beliefs Opening Reception + Performance

Join us for a reception to celebrate the opening of Magical Thinking, of Systems and Beliefs, featuring the work of manuel arturo abreu, DB Amorin, Jonathan González, fields harrington, Africanus Okokon, and sidony o’neal. The group exhibition reconsiders the often denigrating phrase “magical thinking,” designed to parse logic-based systems from superstitious, spiritual, or causal relationships. Taking magical thinking seriously, the artists in exhibition examine disappearances within Nollywood film, dream-logics, and cellular speculations. Such thinking operates as fugitive modes of existence and resistance.

During the reception, manuel arturo abreu will present altar for the unthought, 2026. Combining the formats of artist talk and piano concert, the non-disciplinary artist will examine their relationship to the notion of "magical thinking" in this partly-improvised performance.

Magical Thinking, of Systems and Beliefs is organized by TUAG curator Laurel V. McLaughlin and accompanied by a reader, featuring contributions from participating artists joined by scholars and artists Rebecca Schneider, M. NourbeSe Phillip, Emilio Rojas, and S*an Henry Smith. Exhibition design is provided by Common Space, a creative studio founded by Jon Santos. Generous funding is provided by The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.