The International Fortean Organization will host the annual Wedding of Art, Science and Philosophy at the American Visionary Art Museum on Saturday and at the Days Inn Inner Harbor on Sunday. The merger of lecturers, students, artists and philosophers is regarded as a festival of sorts. With lectures, an abundance of food and no shortage of ideas and beliefs, there is cause to celebrate.
The sponsoring group, the International Fortean Organization, traces their origins back to an American writer, Charles Hoy Fort. For 27 years, Fort worked full-time researching scientific journals and old periodicals to gather material on phenomena on the border between fact and fantasy - the wide range of mysteries that orthodox science either ignored or improperly explained away. The International Fortean Organization (INFO) was incorporated as a non-profit educational society in 1965 in order to continue and expand the original Fortean Society. INFO is dedicated to disseminating Fort's work and continues his research into unexplained phenomena by holding annual conferences such as FortFest, FortNite and FortScape and by publishing the intriguing INFO Journal.
Practicing their tradition, Fortfest is scheduled to host a variety of speakers. On Saturday, expect to see Budd Hopkins on "Where Are We Now," discussing topics such as science, UFOs, invisibility and Transgenic Beings. Budd is also an award-winning (Guggenheim fellowship) painter with pieces in major museums, including the Whitney and the Guggenheim. Additionally, Jocelyn Godwin, author of Pagan Renaissance, The Polar Myth and The Seven
Vowels, and a professor from Colgate University will present "Atlantis of the Occultists." She will address questions such as: What stories of Atlantis, Lemuria, Hyperborea and other prehistoric high cultures do we hear from those who claim a divine or paranormal source of knowledge? How do they compare with the claims of the new archeology? Several other speakers, ranging from philosophy professors, architects and science journal authors, will hold discussions on various topics as well. An optional Italian buffet luncheon will be offered.
The Sunday Seminars are equally compelling. Enjoy the company of quantum physicist and metaphysician William Fellows, as he lectures on "The Modern Alchemists." Peter Westbrook, author of Divine Harmony: Life and Teaching of Pythagoras will speak on "Reconciling Art, Science and Philosophy: What It Bodes For the Planet."
While tickets normally cost $85, there is a special student rate at $25. Reservations are required. The American Visionary Art Museum is located at the base of Federal Hill. The Days Inn Inner Harbor is located at 100 Hopkins Place near the Inner Harbor. The event starts at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. on Sunday. Visit http://www.forteans.com./fortfest09.html to make reservations or to learn more about FortFest '09.
