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The Visionary State

A Journey Through California's Spiritual Landscape By Erik Davis
Photographs by Michael Rauner

9-5/8 x 9-5/8 in; 272 pp ; 160 color photographs
Hardcover
Published in June, 2006
ISBN 0811848353
ISBN13 9780811848350

$40.00  

The Visionary State -- With a rich cultural history and Hollywood stars publicly attesting to a wide range of faiths, it's no surprise that California's spiritual landscape is as diverse as its natural surroundings. The Visionary State weaves text and image into a compelling narrative of religion, architecture, and consciousness in California, from neopaganism to televangelism, UFO cults to austere Zen Buddhism. Acclaimed culture critic Erik Davis brings together the immigrant and homegrown religious influences that have been part of the region's character from its earliest days, drawing connections between seemingly unlike traditions and celebrating the diversity of California's spiritual composition. Michael Rauner's evocative photographs depict the sites and structures where these traditions have taken root and flourished. The Visionary State is a landmark look at what is likely the most varied locale for religious activity anywhere.

Erik Davis's books include Techgnosis: Myth, Magic, and Mysticism in the Age of Information. Much of his work can be accessed at www.techgnosis.com. He lives in San Francisco.

Michael Rauner is a San Francisco–based photographer and installation artist whose works reside in numerous collections, including the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.