CALL. 28.02.2018: Homo pictor. Image studies and archaeology in dialogue - Freiburg (Germany)
FECHA LÍMITE/DEADLINE/SCADENZA: 28/02/2018
FECHA CONGRESO/CONGRESS DATE/DATA CONGRESSO: 28-29-30/06/2018
LUGAR/LOCATION/LUOGO: Institute for Archaeological Studies, University of Freiburg (Freiburg, Germany)
ORGANIZADOR/ORGANIZER/ORGANIZZATORE: Institute for Archaeological Studiesat the University of Freiburg; Jacobus Bracker
INFO: call - jacobus.bracker@archaeologie.uni-freiburg.de
CALL:
In 1961 Hans Jonas identified the ability to make images as a differentia specifia of humans. The term homo pictor refers to the cultural anthropological dimension and the fundamental importance of the relationship between images and humans. It is not by accident, then, that analysis and interpretation of images are of great significance in the archaeological disciplines. Many material remains of past cultures carry images or pictorial elements that are invaluable in the interpretation of these cultures. Correspondingly, there is a broad spectrum of analytical methods that are employed to answer a variety of questions. While some of these methods of image analysis have their conceptual foundation in art history, others have been developed autonomously within the field of archaeology and without reference to interdisciplinary discourses. A consistent theoretical framework that would allow for a systematic conceptualisation of a discipline-specific or historic study of images in archaeology has not yet been articulated. Since the pictorial and the iconic turn there has been a vast trans-and interdisciplinary research on images and their perception under the categories of image science (Bildwissenschaften) and visual culture studies. The conference seeks to explore whether and how these contemporary developments can contribute to theories of the image and methods of image analysis within archaeology. Reciprocally, it will also be asked in what ways archaeology – due to its large material corpora and long scholarly tradition – could make a considerably larger contribution to the fields of image and visual culture studies than acknowledged to date – especially as the object of its research reaches back to the origins of humans and images and their relationship. This gives rise to a number of questions that the conference seeks to explore: - How can theories and methods of image science and visual culture studies be translated and adapted for uses within archaeology? - What additional epistemic potentials for the research into visual/image cultures is opened up by such interdisciplinary approaches? - How might such approaches challenge or deconstruct established patterns of interpretation? - What concepts of the image and/or the picture emerge as particularly productive for archaeological analyses? - How can the interdependency of material and visual/image culture be conceptualised? - What contributions can archaeology make towards the development of image and visual culture studies? The conference, organised by the Institute for Archaeological Studies at the University of Freiburg, will offer ample opportunities for detailed discussions around these central questions. We are looking both for contributions that address the above from a theoretical perspective and for those that develop responses on the basis of concrete archaeological records. There is no limitation to specific periods or cultures. Proposals for papers (30 minutes) in German or English should be sent to:
Jacobus Bracker <jacobus.bracker@archaeologie.uni-freiburg.de> by 28 February 2018. Abstracts should not exceed 300 words and should also include a short academic CV. We welcome proposals not only from established scholars but also in particular from early career researchers and students. A publication of the papers is planned. Funding of speakers’ travel and accommodation expenses cannot currently be guaranteed. However, the participation in the conference is free of any charge. The conference will take place at the University of Freiburg.