Visible Memories Conference
Syracuse University
Oct. 2-4, 2008

Call for Papers

Conference Theme: The Visible Memories Conference at Syracuse University
invites papers for competitive selection. The conference will explore
the intersections between visual culture and memory studies with
particular focus on the ways in which memories are manifested and
experienced in visible, material, or spatial form.

Examples of especially relevant and desirable research topics include:
local sites of memory; memorials and archives; environmentalism and
representations of nature; regional, national, or global tourism;
photography or cinema; digital media; and art installations. We also
welcome other research topics in similarly innovative areas.

The Visible Memories Conference is presented by the Visual Arts and
Cultures Cluster of The Central New York Humanities Corridor, made
possible by a grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The Corridor
is a large-scale partnership with Syracuse University, Cornell
University, and the University of Rochester that connects scholarship in
five other cluster areas: philosophy, linguistics, religions and
cultures, musicology/music history, and humanities at the interface of
science/technology.

Conference Format: The conference will feature an innovative combination
of events designed to facilitate conversation not only between a variety
of researchers concerned with the study of visual culture and memory but
also between academics and distinguished professionals in art and
design, film production, and institutional archiving.

Featured events will include:

- Keynote lecture by conceptual artist Ernesto Pujol.

- Plenary speakers Cara Finnegan, Andrea Hammer, George Legrady, Julia
Meltzer, Phaedra Pezzullo, Gregory Sholette, David Thorne, Patricia
Zimmermann.

- Competitive panel sessions.

- Research workshops and roundtables.

- A gallery reception and film/video screenings.

Submission Guidelines: Submit a paper abstract electronically (500 word
maximum). Include a separate cover page with paper title; author name
and affiliation; and contact information. Submissions should be
addressed to Dr. Anne T. Demo (atdemosyr.edu).

Abstracts will be reviewed by the conference planning committee.
Deadline for abstract submission is May 1, 2008. Acceptance
notification will be sent by June 1, 2008.

Conference History: Syracuse University has been heavily involved in the
study of public memory and visual culture for the past seven years. The
university has previously hosted two major interdisciplinary conferences
devoted to the themes of “Framing Public Memory” (2001) and “Contesting
Public Memories” (2005). These events have attracted national and
international scholars from such disciplines as Anthropology, Rhetorical
Studies, Philosophy, Writing, Geography, and Art. As a result of these
efforts, the Syracuse University “Public Memory Project” has become a
hub for collaboration among scholars from over a dozen departments and
has hosted numerous individual scholars while supporting specific
memory-related projects within the Syracuse community.

See our conference website for further details:
http://publicmemories.syr.edu/.

Additional questions about the Visible Memories Conference may be
addressed to:

Dr. Anne T. Demo
Phone: 315-443-1032
E-mail: atdemosyr.edu
Communication and Rhetorical Studies
100 Sims Hall, Building V
Syracuse University
Syracuse, New York 13244