Fourfold Threshold, at Encounters at Art Basel Hong Kong 2015, sees the viewer happen upon a structure closely resembling an area squared off with museum stanchions, within which reside further stanchioned spaces. This fourfold cordoned zone – perhaps readable as four dimensions – was effected by a skilled practitioner casting a spell during installation, then left to be negotiated as a zone of suggested forces.

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The artist employed the skills of a Villain Hitter to realise the work – a form of sorcery specific to Hong Kong, preliminarily included in the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Home Affairs Bureau. Villain Hitters predominantly work to curse one's enemies. For Fourfold Threshold, the Villain Hitter was brought in to work up a spell during the installation of the work – cast both to intensify the atmosphere around the work and, more specifically, to curse the work's enemies.

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Above the large floor-based sculptural work hang large silk banners (100% pure habotai silk), which act as a point of access to the unseen forces activated below. The artist's hand is scanned and printed, the flatbed scanner used as a camera – a device Mitchell has regularly employed over the past ten years.

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In one banner the artist's hand holds a piece of paper reading "A Spell Is Cast Here". Alongside, four further inkjet prints on silk depict the artist holding his hand in poses that, with practice, supposedly activate certain magical powers – documented across various mystical systems of belief as opening up astral perception, allowing one to witness images and hear voices.

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It is suggested that those well-attuned while performing these gestures may be able to build around themselves a very strong "odic mist". In the words of one mystic: "whoever physically forms and experiences [these gestures] in a pure and conscious manner, will have great secrets opened to him, if he practices, vibrates, and dances in the radio waves, subtle currents and flowing energies of the all."

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These gestures are drawn from various systems: Mudra (Hindu and Buddhist ritualised hand poses) (nos. 1 & 2); Candomblé (nos. 3 & 4); Runes (nos. 1, 2 & 4); Chiromancy (no. 1); ancient Roman tradition (no. 3); Padonkaffsky jargon (no. 3) – and simultaneously find a home across these otherwise opposing systems.

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Further information on each gesture is contained in their individual titles:

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Non-verbal Gesture 1 (Here one feels a fine tingling and a gentle prickling in the thumb; the outstretched fingers begin to vibrate lightly. Thoughts are focused on receiving fire and solar powers. This sign particularly affects the forces of life, in a rejuvenating and strengthening manner.), 2015

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Non-verbal Gesture 2 (Here cosmic energies begin to collect in the hand, experienced as prickling in the extended fingertips, as well as in the ring finger and the tip of the thumb. Thoughts are focused on the reception of solar powers. The collected energies are circulated throughout the body by an act of conscious will. At the deepest moment they are focused in the feet.), 2015

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Non-verbal Gesture 3 (Here one feels a tingling sensation throughout the hand, the thumb slightly vibrating. Thoughts are focused to ward off the evil spirits of the dead and lure wishes of good fortune, to protect oneself from a malevolent glare and distract those with the ability to curse you from the mental effort needed to successfully do so.), 2015

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Non-verbal Gesture 4 (Thoughts are focused on the development of magical powers. You strongly feel the influx of cosmic energies into the tip of your index finger. Often after this exercise the smell of ozone can be detected from the hand.), 2015