Representation [interdisciplinary] (03/20/2003 ; 12/05-07/2003)
Date: 2/28/03

New Dates

Approaching the Unapproachable
An international, interdisciplinary bilingual conference

December 5 7 , 2003
Queen's University
Kingston, Ontario, CANADA

This conference proposes to open the way for an interdisciplinary
discussion taking the following question as its starting point: In
our contemporary world which is first and foremost encountered by way
of pre-established forms of representation, how does one evoke or
address the unapproachable, that which defies or underlies
representation?

Disciplines we wish to engage include: anthropology, architecture,
aesthetics, art history, classical studies, computer science, film
and multi-media, history, linguistics, literature, medicine,
philosophy, psychoanalysis, psychology, sociology, visual arts.
Independent artists and writers are also encouraged to participate.

According to some, we are currently living in the age of visual
representation, that is, in a world where everything is a priori
accounted for by images. That which was previously put into words is
now, most commonly, transmitted visually. As a result, we live
according to a generalized image-repertoire. Thus, according to
Roland Barthes, the fact that only images exist, are produced and are
consumed "raises the ethical question: not that the image is immoral,
irreligious or diabolic, but because, when generalized, it completely
de-realizes the human world of conflicts and desires, under the cover
of illustrating it"; it creates a world that is "without difference
(indifferent), from which can rise, here and there, only the cry of
anarchisms, marginalisms, and individualisms."

This is also true of non-visual forms of representation. Put
differently, then, while imposing a fragmented view of reality, the
various forms of representation which account for our everyday most
often abolish the imperceptible portion of reality. Incapable of
grasping the full reality of the present, they moreover tend to
efface its historical dimension. Indeed, to the questions "why?" and
"for how long?" such representations provide little or no answer.
Human experience as governed by pre-established forms of
representation is despoiled of specificity and nuance. Under the
spell of immediacy provided by contemporary forms of representation,
we forget that reality cannot be reduced to the tangible and apparent.

Taking the above diagnosis as its starting point, this conference
proposes to explore avenues which venture to address the obscured,
imperceptible facet of reality underlying the generalized repertoire
of representational forms and assumptions which constitute
contemporary reality.

Abstracts should include: name, affiliation, title and outline of
proposed paper (max. 250 words)

Please email or send submissions by March 20, 2003 to:
inapproqsilver.queensu.ca and cdd28cornell.edu

(regular mail to)
Attention: Agnès Conacher & Catherine Dhavernas
Approaching the Unapproachable
Department of French Studies
Queen’s University,
Kingston, ON, CANADA
K7L 3N6

or by fax: 613-533-6522

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