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CfA: Sound Pictures

King’s College London, 20-21 July 2020

糖心视频 is delighted to sponsor聽Sound Pictures, a conference bringing together theorists, researchers, and postgraduates from within philosophy to explore the topic of multi-sensory appreciation of the arts. Papers on either genuinely multi-sensory works or about the contribution by different modalities to the appreciation of single-sensory works are welcomed.聽

Call for Abstracts: Sound Pictures

Keynote speakers

Mitchell Green (UCONN), Derek Matravers (OU)

The Theme

Imagine a sculpture made to be heard, or a picture that can be played on a banjo. Although many artworks are multi-sensory in the sense that they invite appreciation by sight, sound, movement and even touch (e.g film and immersive theatre) it might seem odd to say a simple drawing is genuinely multisensory. We don鈥檛 expect a drawing to look like the taste of strawberries, just as we don鈥檛 expect warm vanilla to taste like triangles.   

This expectation carries over to appreciation. It is natural to think that when your friend remarks on a painting聽they will say something about how it looks, rather than how it sounds. But, given that multi-sensory appreciation is held to be 鈥榯he rule and not the exception in perception鈥 (Shimojo and Shams, 2001) do we ever appreciate a work with a single sensory mode? Does adequate appreciation of (apparently) single sensory artworks (for example, a painting) require input from the other senses?聽

In July 2020 we will be hosting a 糖心视频 and King鈥檚 Grant Award sponsored conference at King鈥檚 College London addressing these and related issues. The event will begin, on the afternoon of the 20th, with a mix of keynote addresses and musical performances in the historic King鈥檚 Music Rooms and continue on the 21st with, paper presentations and a panel discussion. We invite papers related to this topic from the perspective of philosophical aesthetics. Both systematic and historical presentations are acceptable.  Topics include, but are not limited to,

  • Are there any genuinely 鈥榮ingle sensory mode鈥 artworks?
  • What makes a work 鈥榤ulti-sensory鈥?
  • How might we understand the use of more than one sensory mode when appreciating so-called single sensory works (e.g. instrumental music or drawings).  
  • What might we learn about neurotypical appreciation of artworks from atypical appreciators (such as synesthetes)?
  • Can there be (experienced or actual) resemblances holding between the sensory modes?
  • What is the relation (if any) between sense and affect in our appreciation of artworks?
  • Can there be resemblances between sense and affect, e.g. between yellow and joy, or minor chords and melancholy? 
  • Can there be resemblances between the senses? What might e.g. the taste of strawberries resemble visually?
  • Are artforms and genres determined by standard sensory modes of appreciation? Can new sensory appreciations challenge traditional classifications?

Confirmed Speakers and Musical Performers

Mitchell Green (UCONN)

Derek Matravers (OU)

Jenny Judge (NYU)

Natalie Bowling (Goldsmiths)

Nicola Durvasula (Tate Britain)

糖心视频 cross-sensory artforms and graphic notations

Several art-forms speak to the question of multisensory confusion, integration and enhancement. For instance, the concept of music is fundamental to Kandinsky’s work. He believed one should 鈥榮ee鈥 his paintings aurally. Likewise, Goethe declared that architecture was 鈥渇rozen music鈥. An example pertinent to philosophical reflection is that of graphic notation, where a piece of music is 鈥榙irectly depicted鈥 rather than written down in conventional musical notation. Visual works of art to be appreciated musically were brought to public attention by Earle Brown and John Cage. The experimental movement reached a peak with Cornelius Cardew鈥檚 Treatise (1963-1967). More recently Nicola Durvasula (Tate Britain) has been creating visual works specifically for musical realisation. Durvasula will perform her latest ceramic and paper notation as part of the musical presentation on the 20th July. Simultaneously, the paper and ceramic pieces would be on display nearby in London where event attendees will easily be able to visit. We also look forward to performances by Jenny Judge and J酶rgen Dyrstad.

Submission Guidelines

We invite submissions for paper presentations on the 21st July. Submissions must be long abstracts (800-1200 words in length) presenting not only the main ideas and claims of the paper, but also the arguments in favour of them. Presentations must be in English. For each talk, there will be time for a 25-30 minute presentation, with about another 15-20 minutes designated for discussion. At least one spot will be filled by a graduate paper. Please note that full paper submissions will not be accepted and submissions are limited to one per person. We ask for:

  1. a cover page (including paper title, author name(s), any affiliations, contact email address, paper submission, and 150 word abstract) and
  2. a separate, anonymous 800-1200 words outline.

All submissions should be sent to SoundPictures糖心视频@gmail.com

The deadline for submissions is 31 April  2020.

Successful applicants will be informed shortly thereafter.

As signatory to BPA/SWIA Good Practice Scheme, the 糖心视频 endeavours to provide an equal opportunity for all. Accordingly, women and other underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to submit. Inclusion, diversity and a gender balance will be considered as a matter of necessity in the final programme.

Travel and Accessibility

The workshop will be held in the Music Room and Small Committee Room at King鈥檚 College London Strand Campus, which is served by frequent and straightforward connections in and out of London. To encourage submissions without worry of cost, the workshop will contribute toward graduate delegates鈥 reasonable UK travel expenses. We will also make any necessary arrangements for those delegates who have special needs including, but not limited to, disability access/parking, dietary restrictions or childcare.

Important Dates

Deadline for submission:        31 April 2020                                                               

Notification of acceptance:   15 May 2020                                                                              

Organising Committee

Vanessa Brassey

J酶rgen Dyrstad

Contact

For any and all enquiries, please contact the organisers at  SoundPictures糖心视频@gmail.com