Spectacular Language and Projected Verse

Papers are sought for an interdisciplinary panel on the topic of spectacular forms of language and poetry during the 19th and 21st centuries in an American or European context.

The panel will take place at the annual Modernist Studies Association Conference between October 18-21, 2012 in Las Vegas.

We are interested in papers that address the intersection of language, literature and technology in the public or entertainment sphere. How does the development of proto-cinematic projection devices, cinematic technology and now digital technology affect the way we encounter language as a collective populace? Are only commercial forms of language broadcast in illuminated fashion to the public, or have there been instances of “projected verse,” thus putting a spin on Charles Olson’s dictum?

Papers are invited from diverse fields such as Art History, Comparative Literature, Media Studies and so on. Please contact Abigail Susik and Michael Chasar at asusikwillamette.edu by April 4th, 2012 with a proposed title and a 300-500 word abstract.