Call for papers

GHost 2: Hostings

A project by Sarah Sparkes and Ricarda Vidal

Institute of Germanic & Romance Studies, Stewart House, 32 Russell Square,
London WC1B 5DN

Deadline for submissions of proposals: 15 September 2009

Recently BBC Radio 4 broadcast a short discussion between James Buchan and
Jonathan Sutherland on whether ghost stories are a credible form of
storytelling in these sceptical times. Both argued in favour of ghosts and
their timeless ability to make us aware of those issues we’d rather like
to forget. Ghosts are remnants of suppressed memories, but they can also
speak of desires we don’t dare acknowledge or of dreams we have given up
dreaming. Ghosts are ephemeral, changeable and intangible but they are
also eternal. They are a flighty presence but often they are tied to a
specific place. They are domestic creatures but they travel lightly by
word of mouth.

Ghosts, of course, have evolved over the centuries and early on the
ghostly entered science and technology. Soon after the first photograph
had been taken, the first ghost appeared in print. Photographic and later
film and video cameras were used to trace, and also to create, their
ephemeral and flighty presence. These days, film and video are joined by
the digital with its sheer infinite possibilities. With advances in
technology images of ghosts become less and less believable, but ghosts,
whether in stories or images, are as popular as ever. Whether one believes
in them or not they continue to be a credible form of story-telling
commenting on and exploring the changing memories and dreams of
contemporary times.
GHosting aims to address the various roles ghosts play in contemporary
culture by bringing artists, writers, curators and researchers together
for two workshops, so-called ‘hostings’ and an exhibition of moving image
art. The hostings will take place at the Institute of Germanic & Romance
Studies and the exhibition will be hosted by St Johns on Bethnal Green.

We would like to invite proposals for presentations of 30 minutes on the
theme of the ghostly for the two hostings on 20 October and 17 November.
Whether you’re proposing an academic paper, a performative talk, a recital
of poetry or creative writing or a presentation of your art practice
please think of ways of presenting your work beyond the neat framing of
Power Point and take us somewhere on the far side of Windows Vista.

Please send a (working) title, an abstract of ca. 300 words, and, if
applicable one or two pictures, to ghost.hostingsgmail.com

Abstracts should reach us no later than 15 September 2009.

For more info please see our webiste:
http://www.host-a-ghost.blogspot.com/

Or join the GHost group on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/inbox/readmessage.php?t=1166662399611&mbox_pos=0#/group.php?gid=117301037117&ref=mf

Artists, please note that there is a separate call for submissions for the
GHost exhibition at St Johns on 18-20 December. You can download this from
our website our from facebook.