Figures of Possibility: Aesthetic Experience, Mysticism, and the Play of the Senses

Niklaus Largier's book explores how mystical practices have been reinvented across the centuries, generating a notion of possibility with unexpected critical potential. He argues that devotion builds on experimental practices of figuration to shape perception, emotions, and thoughts anew, and highlights the ways in which these practices have been invested in the creation of possibilities in literature and art. The book questions ordinary protocols of interpretation in the humanities and emphasizes the importance of a hermeneutic understanding of texts and cultural artifacts.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 15 March 2022
Publisher: Stanford University Press

From the depths of medieval contemplation to the vibrant tapestry of early modern cosmopoetic imagination, to the groundbreaking invention of aesthetic experience, to the decadent allure of nineteenth-century literature, and to the essayistic forms of writing and filmmaking that emerged in the early twentieth century, Niklaus Largier unveils a captivating journey of the reinvention of mystical practices across centuries. Through his profound exploration, Largier unveils a notion of possibility that holds immense critical potential, transcending the boundaries of time.

In his quest for a fresh perspective on mystical experience, Largier emphasizes the profound ways in which devotion intertwines with experimental practices of figuration, shaping perception, emotions, and thoughts in novel and transformative ways. This reinvention of mystical practices has been a driving force behind a diverse range of experimental engagements in literature and art, spanning from the seventeenth to the twentieth century, and even emerging in the vibrant realm of new materialism.

As a comprehensive exploration of the senses and emotions, this book reveals the deep-rooted investment of mystical and devotional practices in the modulation and reconfiguration of sensation, affects, and thoughts. It serves as a testament to the enduring power of these practices to shape our understanding of the world and ourselves. Moreover, read as a book about practices of figuration, it challenges the conventional protocols of interpretation in the humanities, urging us to explore new avenues of understanding and appreciation.

Through his meticulous scholarship and insightful analysis, Largier invites us to embark on a journey of discovery, where the boundaries between the mystical and the everyday blur, and where the potential for transformation and renewal is limitless. His work serves as a beacon of light, illuminating the rich tapestry of human experience and inspiring us to embrace the extraordinary possibilities that lie within us.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781503631045