alt0740-creators

7:40 PM

Creators of the Altar Room

Finding Divinity in Everyday Things

A group gathers to enjoy the results -- incense, candles, and sacred objects...the ingredients for an altar to take on a life of its own.

words by Marcy Swenson

     Mona, Ann, and Vanessa currently build altars for the New Moon and Friends & Family (both small, non-profit groups that throw underground parties in San Francisco), but if any party needs an altar, they can contact someone from the New Moon (www.hyperreal.com/raves/newmoon/), and "we'll do our best to help out." That's the spirit of underground parties -- do it yourself, but we'll help you learn how. Ann says: "I think people can see anybody can create something -- to find a sense of divinity in everyday things."
     Ann Loraine of New Moon was inspired by friend Mona to build altars, and "my boyfriend introduced me to the joys of collecting objects," she says. "Objects have a life and a spirit of their own -- they're charged. Things at the flea market reach out and grab me now."

     Mona Bryant has been putting together altars for years: "We did an ambient party called Aurogasm several years ago. The idea was that our altars, our dancing, our party would be a sacred event. Altars are highly interactive. If you can get many people lighting candles, lighting incense, bringing things, and taking things, it works best. There are no rules with altars."

Vanessa Minx adds: "Altars convey mystery; we're hoping the sacred objects speak to people. Someone might look at a wooden statue, see the beauty of it, and feel love."

Mona's hope is that every promoter will eventually be responsible for their own altar -- all it takes is three things: incense, a candle, and some sacred object. Their altar will then take on a life of its own.

photo by Harry Pariser