Immersive Installation and Performative Divination
During Manifestations – Dutch Design Weeks, Stephanie Smit placed herself within the center of the installation, inviting visitors to sit beside her for intimate tarot and astrology readings exploring karmic patterns, soul evolution, symbolic identity, and personal transformation.
Through intuitive dialogue, symbolic interpretation, and astrological analysis, participants were guided toward deeper reflection surrounding recurring emotional themes, creative purpose, spiritual development, and unresolved patterns shaping their current life path.
Rather than functioning solely as exhibition or performance, the installation transformed into a living ritual space where art, divination, symbolic storytelling, and human interaction continuously merged together.
Symbolism, Soul Memory, and Artistic Reincarnation Research
A New World – Transcending Time and Space forms part of Stephanie Smit’s broader Reality Cult artistic reincarnation research practice exploring soul continuity, karmic identity, mythology, symbolic memory, and recurring archetypal patterns across time.
The work investigates how emotional structures, symbolic themes, spiritual longings, and unresolved experiences may continue to echo throughout human life beyond conventional ideas of linear identity.
Tarot and astrology function within the installation not as predictive systems alone, but as symbolic languages capable of revealing deeper psychological, emotional, spiritual, and archetypal dynamics shaping individual and collective experience.
The project proposes spiritual transformation not as escape from reality, but as a process of radical self-recognition and conscious participation within larger symbolic structures moving throughout history, culture, and memory.
Ritual Space, Consciousness, and Transformation
Blurring the boundaries between installation art, ritual environment, mystical performance, and participatory encounter, the work creates an atmosphere suspended between dreamscape, sanctuary, symbolic theatre, and contemplative space.
Visitors move through immersive visual environments shaped by light, symbolism, sound, divination, ritual objects, and performative interaction — allowing the installation itself to function as both artwork and initiatory experience.
At its core, the project explores the possibility of a “New World” emerging through expanded consciousness, symbolic awareness, liberated identity, spiritual remembrance, and emotional transformation.
Exhibitions and Presentations
A New World – Transcending Time and Space was presented during Manifestations at Dutch Design Week.
The project evolved from Stephanie Smit’s earlier interdisciplinary work ‘A New World, previously presented at Design Museum Den Bosch, Museum Lakenhal, Occulture Conference, and Van Gogh Museum.
Special thanks to Viola van Alphen for the invitation.
Photography by Edwin Smits, Roy te Lintelo, and Bram van Dal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is A New World – Transcending Time and Space?
A New World – Transcending Time and Space is an immersive installation and performative divination artwork by Stephanie Smit (Giek), combining tarot, astrology, symbolism, ritual, performance, and artistic reincarnation research through interdisciplinary installation art.
Is the project an art installation or a spiritual experience?
The work intentionally exists between installation art, symbolic ritual, contemplative environment, participatory performance, and spiritual inquiry.
What role do tarot and astrology play in the work?
Tarot and astrology are used as symbolic languages for exploring karmic themes, emotional structures, identity patterns, spiritual transformation, and soul memory.
What is artistic reincarnation research?
Artistic reincarnation research is Stephanie Smit’s interdisciplinary artistic practice exploring reincarnation, soul continuity, symbolic identity, mythology, cultural memory, and recurring archetypal patterns through art, astrology, symbolism, performance, and historical analysis.
Where has the work been presented?
The project was presented during Manifestations at Dutch Design Week and evolved from earlier works shown at Design Museum Den Bosch, Museum Lakenhal, Occulture Conference, and Van Gogh Museum.
What is Reality Cult?
Reality Cult is an artistic research platform founded by Stephanie Smit (Giek), exploring reincarnation, symbolic identity, mythology, spirituality, consciousness, cultural continuity, and soul lineage research through performance, visual art, writing, astrology, audiovisual work, and interdisciplinary artistic practice.