An international conference by the Amsterdam School of Historical Studies (ASH), research group Historical Theatre Research

Organized by Elke Huwiler, Suzanne Kooloos and Jan Lazardzig

 

January 26-28, 2017

University of Amsterdam

Venue: Doelenzaal, University Library

 

Key note speakers:

Prof. Dr. Gabriele Brandstetter

Theatre and Dance Studies, Freie Universität Berlin

Prof. Dr. François Lecercle

Literary Studies, Université de Paris-Sorbonne

 

 

Within the last decades, conceptualizations of text and performance (such as textuality and performativity) have been extensively used in diverse fields of knowledge (such as ethnography, anthropology, cultural studies, science studies, gender studies, post- colonial studies, theater and performance studies) to describe, analyze and interpret culture, its languages, practices, rhythms and styles, as well as its iterations and transformations. In linguistics and language philosophy, often referred to as a conceptual vantage point, text (as langue, language, écriture) and performance (as parole or speech act) are seen as mutually dependent rather than exclusive.

 

Subsequently, there has been an ever-growing awareness for epistemes and epistemologies which arise precisely from the relation of text to performance, its inaptitudes, incongruities, tensions, frictions and ruptures as well as its capacity to grasp reality in its multiple layers and facets. This holds particularly true for the cultural-historical and conceptual dimensions and manifestations of this relation, such as oral and scriptural cultures (Paul Zumthor), tactical and strategical practices (Michel de Certeau), archival and embodied memories (Diana Taylor), tacit and codified knowledge (Michael Polanyi). Epistemologies evolving from these relations address questions of un/translatability, in/codifiability, in/projectability, an/aesthetics as well as experiences of loss, suppression and forgetfulness.

 

Against this background, the conference sets out to explore the production of knowledge emerging from and originating in the  relationality of text and performance and its cultural-historical and conceptual dimensions and manifestations in a historical and historiographical perspective. How does this knowledge become referential or topical? Where and how is it stored? How can it be conceptualized historically as well as historiographically? There will be contributions from several disciplines which are all interested in new historiographies originating at the threshold of text and performance.

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The conference is open to the public and free of charge.

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Conference sponsored by

KNAW - Koninklijke Nederlandse Academie van Wetenschappen

ASH - Amsterdam School of Historical Studies

AUF - Amsterdams Universiteitsfonds

ASCA - Amsterdam School for Cultural Analysis

Afdeling Kunst- en Cultuurwetenschappen, UvA

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