E-Newsletter now available to read online!
Click on the links below to read previous Swedenborg Society electronic newsletters...
April/May 2010 Newsletter Includes an articles on 'Swedenborg and Music', information on Guy Dammann's lecture on 'Music, Morality and Mysticism', review of Into the Interior: Discovering Swedenborg, information on the author Scarlett Thomas and her talk on 'Imagining Heaven and Hell', news of the Short Film Festival and the International Swedenborg Publishers' Conference.
February 2010 Newsletter Includes news on our bicentenary reception evening and Lars Bergquist's lecture on 'Swedenborg and Linneaus', information on Ben Judd's performance, information on Robert Rowland Smith's lecture and a review of A Stellar Key to the Summerlandthe graphic novel by artist Olivia Plender.
January 2010 Newsletter Includes a review of A S Byatt's talk at the Society, news on tree-planting day at Swedenborg Gardens E1, an article on Swedenborg's early life, information on David Lister's lecture on Swedenborg and the brain.
November 2009 Newsletter Includes news of Iain Sinclair's involvement in our art exhibition, a review of A Philosopher's Notebook, an article on Paul Tecklenberg, our first artist in residence, and news of a screening of a D T Suzuki documentary at SOAS.
October 2009 Newsletter Includes a feature on our Swedenborg documentary, a review of Cecil Collins art exhibition, book review of Kaleidoscope the latest Chrysalis Reader, news of confirmed forthcoming lectures by Jonathan Jones and Guy Dammann.
September 2009 Newsletter Includes information on Open House London, the refurbishment of Swedenborg House, a review of The Five Ages by P L Johnson, news on our flag design competition (still open!), and an update on our bicentenary programme of events.
Join the mailing list!
The June/July e-newsletter has been sent out. It features
articles on Swedenborg and the
Irish Literary Imagination, Swedenborg and Dostoevsky, news of the John
Flaxman exhibition at UCL and a review of the new edition of Ralph Waldo
Emerson's Introducing the Mystic. Please contact nora@swedenborg.org.uk if you
would like to join the mailing list.
International Swedenborg Symposium - Stockholm
On 7th - 9th June, experts and students of Swedenborg studies assembled in Stockholm for a symposium on 'Emanuel Swedenborg: A World Memory, Context, Content, Contribution'. The event was organized by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, in celebration of the completion of a new catalogue of their Swedenborg archive. Richard Lines, our secretary, travelled to Stockholm to take part in the conference. Abstracts of the papers, photographs and a video of the conference can be seen here. http://www.center.kva.se/svenska/forskning/Swedenborg2010Program.htm
Independent Bookseller Week!
Monday 14th - Sunday 20th June. Support your local bookshop! Or, more importantly, visit the Swedenborg Society bookshop on Bloomsbury Way. We are just around the corner from the British Museum, in the heart of Bloomsbury, London. Why not go on a tour - starting at Jarndyce Antiquarian Boooksellers on Great Russell St, moving on to the London Review of Books on Bury Place; then to us on Bloomsbury Way, before visiting Perspephone Books on Lambs Conduit St.
We are open 9:30 am - 5:00 pm Monday to Friday. Hopefully see you here soon!
David Bindman on 'John Flaxman as a Religious Sculptor'
17th June 6:30pm, Chadwick Building, University College London
BOOK YOUR PLACES NOW! John Flaxman, a friend and contemporary of William Blake, was the first British sculptor to achieve a major international reputation; he was also a founder member fo the Swedenborg Society. Professor David Bindman, distinguished art historian and Flaxman expert, will give a talk on Flaxman's devotion to Swedenborg's ideas and how this informed the imagery of his famous sculptures and line drawings - which exhibited a Greek style, distinguished by a flowing line reminiscent of William Blake. See more information on the lecture here. See Flaxman's works in the Tate Collection here. This talk is being held in partnership with University College London, which will be opening a new exhibition of Flaxman's line drawings in the Strang Print Room. The talk will be held in the Chadwick lecture theatre at UCL on Gower St. Admission is £5.00/£3.00 concessions. Please drop into the Swedenborg Society bookshop (20 Bloomsbury Way), or phone (020) 7405 7986 to book your place. Capacity is limited ...
Lecture 30th June at Swedenborg House, organized by IAC London: PROJECTOLOGY AND SWEDENBORG
Projectiology is the study of the projection of the consciousness (out-of-body experience) and bioenergies. This is a science that has been influenced over the years by authors, projectors and philosophers alike - including Emanuel Swedenborg. This lecture will look at Swedenborg from the parapsychism angle; analysing the phenomena he reported as either out-of-body experiences, dreams, non-physical visual perceptions and non-physical communication, from the perspective of a multidimensional paradigm. Rodrigo Medeiros has been a consciousness researcher and instructor since 1993, and has presented lectures and classes in several countries, in four languages, and participated in numerous debates, symposia and congresses related to consciousness research. With over 16 years of conducting theoretical and practical studies about Clairvoyance as a visual perception of non-physical dimensions, as well as many other paranormal phenomena, Rodrigo co-authored the Image Target Research Project; a study in remote perception presented in the III International Congress of Consciousness Studies in New York, NY.
The lecture begins at 6:30 pm in Swedenborg Hall. Please note this event is not organized by the Swedenborg Society; to book your place at the lecture please contact london@iacworld.org and for more information visit www.iacworld.org...
An Evening with Scarlett Thomas...
... was a tremendous success! We had almost a full house and lots of interesting questions about everything - from belief in fairies to the nature of existence. Thank you to everybody who came and we hope you enjoyed it. We still have a few copies left of The End of Mr Y and Our Tragic Universe - Scarlett's latest book which has not been officially launched yet. Please contact the bookshop on sales@swedenborg.org.uk if you would like to buy a copy.
An Evening with Scarlett Thomas: 19th May
Book your places now! The author of The End of Mr Y will be speaking about 'Imagining Heaven and Hell' as a writer of fiction - and as a student of philosophy... See further information on her talk here. Read Scarlett's blog and details on her work here.
Admission is free. Please email nora@swedenborg.org.uk or phone (020) 7405 7986 to book your place. Capacity is limited ...
Guy Dammann on Music, Morality and Mysticism
Lecture on the 6th May: FREE ADMISSION! But booking is highly recommended. Guy Dammann is a lecturer on aesthetics at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and is a regular columnist on music and philosophy for the Guardian newspaper, the Spectator, New Statesman and the Economist. His talk should be fascinating - and will be accompanied by live music. Please phone (020) 7405 7986 to book your place. Capacity is limited ...
An Evening with Simon Armitage
Thursday 22nd April 6:30 pm: BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW! Simon Armitage will read from his translat
ion of the Middle English epic poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (Faber & Faber, 2007), proclaimed by Nicholas Lezard in the Guardian to be ‘the best
translation of any poem I've ever seen'. Sir Gawain has featured in many ‘bestbook of the year' lists in both the UK and the US, encouraging Simon to make anaccompanying documentary for BBC television. More information here. Admission costs £5.00/£3.00 concessions. Please phone (020) 7405 7986 to book your place. Capacity is limited ...
Swedenborg Publishers Conference Timetable
The timetable of events and speakers for the Swedenborg Publishers Conference taking place 3-4 June can be found at the bottom of this page. There are still some seats available for the conference (which is free to attend). If you would like to attend any of the events please contact James Wilson on james@swedenborg.org.uk
Swedenborg Documentary: Premiere Screening on Thursday 8th April: BOOK YOUR PLACES NOW!
Heaven, Hell and Other Places: a Film about Emanuel Swedenborg, produced by Stephen McNeilly and directed by award-winning film makers Cartwright & Jordan. The premiere screening will take place in the noeclassical hall of Swedenborg House on Bloomsbury Way. More information here. Admission is free but advanced booking is highly recommended! Simply email nora@swedenborg.org.uk or phone (020) 7405 7986 and we can put your name on the guest list. Doors open 6.30, film starts 7.00 p.m.
David Eagleman 29th March SOLD OUT!
We hope you all enjoyed his talk on 'Why I am a Possibilian' and if you missed it we highly recommend you buy his book of short fiction Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives (Canongate Books 2009).
More on our forthcoming speaker, David Eagleman:
A Conversation between David Eagleman and Rebecca Goldstein, exploring the relationship between science, literature and religion. See their dialogue here. David Eagleman will speak expand on this theme, in his lecture at the Swedenborg Society on 29th March; he will explain why he is a 'Possibilian', answer questions and sign copies of his international bestseller Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives. Booking for this event is highly recommended! Please phone (020) 7405 7986 if you would like to attend.
Swedenborg House: Fourteen Interventions is NOW OVER!
Featuring work by Jeremy Deller, Olivia Pl
ender,Bridget Smith and others, as well as objects chosen from our archivesby Iain Sinclair, our bicentenary art show ran throughout Swedenborg House untilFeb 5th. Over one thousand people passed through the doors; theexhibition was featured in the Guardian newspaper and on Resonance Fmand BBC London. Our 'Evenings with' Iain Sinclair, Brian Catling, BenJudd and Jonathan Jones were also tremendously successful. Thank you toeverybody who took part in and attended our bicentenary exhibition. Ihope you enjoyed it as much as we did!
Images from the Exhibition: Paul Tecklenberg
Images of Swedenborg House, taken by the artist Paul Tecklenberg during his residency, can now be seen here on our website, and also on the London Group website - where he has written a fuller explanation of his work for our bicentenary exhibtion, Swedenborg House: Fourteen Interventions.
Heaven and Hell: Doors (2009)
Stephen McNeilly and James Wilson to guest on BBC Radio London!
At around 1:00 pm on the 22nd February, Stephen (publishing manager) and James (publishing assistant/librarian) will talk to talkshow host Robert Elms about the art exhibition, Swedenborg and the Society in general. Remember to tune in!
Resonance 104.4 FM to broadcast Swedenborg Society Events
Respected arts radio station, Resonance FM, will record and broadcast 'An Evening with Iain Sinclair & Brian Catling' (1st March) and Jonathan Jones' lecture on Leonardo Da Vinci (4th March) to an international audience! There is still a chance to hear them in person! Email nora@swedenborg.org.uk or phone (020) 7405 7986 to book.
Dr David Lister's talk on the emotional and rational brain was FASCINATING...
Andonce again, the hall was full. Thank you to everybody who came, forbeing such a wonderful audience. David explained, through imaginativeanalogy and diagrams of the brain, how both cognitive functions andemotional impulses create memory. He ended by emphasising theimportance of love, in understanding and appreciating the world aroundyou; and how Swedenborg's scientific discoveries were certainlyvisionary in this respect. This encouraged a thoroughly interestingdiscussion with the audience, about the relationship between scienceand religion, truth and metaphor.
Our next talk is An Evening with Iain Sinclair and Brian Catling, on the 1st March. You must now buy your ticket in advance to be ensured a place. Email nora@swedenborg.org.uk or phone (020) 7405 7986.
Exhibition: Ernest Trobridge, Visionary of the Suburbs
Few people will have heard of Ernest Torbridge, a Swedenborgian architect whose buildings are scattered accross the suburbs of North West London. However one cannot fail to notice the remarkable and singular design of the flats and houses he built, mostly during the 1920s and 1930s. Using only natural materials, the plans of the buildings are defined by a 'sentimental rationalism', itself informed by Trobridge's Swedenborgian values. Many features follow no recognised architectural tradition: his chimneys spiral, his windows are arranged in an apparently haphazard fashion - according to a 'science of correspondences'. Swedenborgian philosophy also affected Trobridge's business behaviour; he made a point of employing disable ex-servicemen, paid trade union rates and supported co-operatives unlike many of his colleagues at the time. He built 10 extraordinary houses in Kingsbury, North West London, choosing one to live in for the rest of his days. It is here that, shortly after his death in 1942, the architectural plans were found which would revive interest in his work. On the 17th February, Brent Museum and Brent Archives are launching a new exhibition, 'Ernest Trobridge: Visionary of the Suburbs', in celebration of his singular contribution to local architecture. The launch party will take place at the Willesden Green Library Centre, 95 High Rd, London, NW10 2SF. Contact (020) 8937 3600 if you would like to attend. Click here for more information on Ernest Trobridge.
A S BYATT at the Society
On Thursday 14th January, 
110people packed Swedenborg Hall to hear the distinguished author, A S Byatt, speak.Antonia gave a reading, with commentary, from her Swedenborgiannovella, The Conjugial Angel. Forming one half of Angels and Insects (1992), the story explores dynamics within the Tennyson family,spiritualism and Swedenborgian ideas in the nineteenth century. She leda fascinating discussion about artistic vision and how Swedenborgianphilosophy can inform literary style. Ultimately, it was a talk aboutwhat it is to be creative, to be visionary or simply to be human - andhow these things are fundamentally connected. As Antonia welcomedquestions from the floor, the scope of the discussion reflected theimpressive diversity of her audience. It was a very successful evening,enjoyed, we hope, by all. What a wonderful start to our bicentenaryyear.
Happy Birthday to Us!
The Swedenborg Society is now 200 years old! We have been pubishing work by and about Emanuel Swedenborg ever since 1810. SO our bicentenary programme of events can finally begin. Distinguished author A S Byatt will kick start our celebrations on the 14th January with a reading and discussion of her Swedenborgian novella The Conjugial Angel. Admission costs only £5.00/£3.00 concessions. Please phone (020) 7405 7986 if you would like to come. More bicentenary events are listed here.
Find us on Facebook!
The Swedenborg Society has now joined FACEBOOK! Please add 'Swedenborg Soc' as your friend or become a fan. Visit us here.
Would you like to collaborate on a work of art?
Paul Tecklenberg is our artist-in-residence and he needs volunteers for a sound installation he is making for the exhibition "Swedenborg House - 14 Interventions". This exhibition will take place in February 2010 to mark the 200th anniversary of the Society.
He would like to make sound recordings of people reading extracts from "Heaven and Hell". Your voices will be used in a sound installation that will be in the basement of the building. The recording sessions will take place on Tuesday 1st and Wednesday 2nd of December at Swedenborg House between 10 am and 6 pm. The sessions won't take no more than one hour of your time. In exchange for your participation, the artist will give you a limited edition photographic print.
If you would like to be involved contact Nora on 020 7405 7986 or at nora@swedenborg.org. Everybody is welcome to take part.
E-Newsletter
We have recently developed our first ever electronic newletter. Thisis an events-focused newletter, developed by the staff at the Societyand sent out by email on a monthly basis. It contans information onevents, new books and competions at the Society - and beyond. If youwould like to be added to the mailing list, please email nora@swedenborg.org.uk. We highly recommend that you sign up to the newsletter, as our program of events for the bi-centenary year is constantly evolving. The November issue has just been sent out. Contact the society if you would like to receive it.
Competition
Design the Swedenborg Society Flag! SwedenborgHouse has been rebranded - but there is still something missing... Wehave a flag pole but no flag! We are therefore challenging you todesign a Swedenborg Society flag in time for our bicentenary year. Thewinning design will hang in a very prominent position, at the front ofSwedenborg House on Bloomsbury Way. Please use your imagination tocreate an image representative of the Society and its aims. All submissions should be sent as a PDF to nora@swedenborg.org.uk.
Recent Events
On the 19th of September, Swedenborg House was one of 700 buildings in London throwing open its doors, as part of Open House London,the capital's largest architectural showcase. Open House is an annualevent in 'celebration of design excellence'; it provides opportunitiesfor people to explore exemplary buildings which are not normallyaccessible to the public. Hundreds of people passed through our doorsto see what lies beyond the bookshop ... We are even featured as a'hidden gem' of Open House, in the following week's Camden New Journal.
And THANK YOU to everyone who attended andcontributed towards our summer lecture series. We hugely enjoyed GaryLachman's kick-start to the series on the 18th of June, with a talkabout the influence of Emanuel Swedenborg on the work of Edgar Allen Poe; the following week, Christopher Hasler discussed 'The Use and Misuse of Parables',encouraging a reasoned and imaginative approach to the Bible in theSwedenborgian tradition; on the 2nd of July, Patrick Johnson gave us afascinating insight into the Swedenborgians' contribution towards the abolition of slavery;and Richard Lines ended the series on the 9th of July, with ameditation on the parallel lives of Darwin, Tennyson and Wallace in thecontext of 'Religion and Science in the 19th century.' This series is now over, but you can look forward to more lectures and events in the coming months. Please contact nora@swedenborg.co.uk if you would like to be notified of these.