9SARICAR: 9th SAR International Conference on Artistic Research Plymouth University Plymouth, UK, April 11-13, 2018 |
Conference website | http://www.sarconference2018.org/ |
Submission link | https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=9saricar |
Submission deadline | January 7, 2018 |
ARTISTIC RESEARCH WILL EAT ITSELF
The provocation Artistic Research Will Eat Itself can be understood as a warning against the dangers of methodological introspection, or as a playful invitation to explore the possibilities of a field in a constant state of becoming. In this context, the ‘cannibalism’ of artistic research ‘eating itself’ embodies a dynamic tension between self-destruction and regeneration.
If artistic research eats itself, digests itself and then releases its own waste, does it stink and linger, fertilise new growth or invade new destinations on the bottom of someone’s shoe? If we are to constantly defend and define, are we in danger of having no art left, only the claims for its ability to embody knowledge? When we bite off our own heads do we grow new tails?
Critical perspectives on the discourse surrounding artistic research might be argued to already be too formulaic or self-defeating. Making a case for its own institutional legitimacy could unwittingly reinforce some of the very things artistic research aims to critique. Yet such onto-epistemological paradoxes can offer a rich territory for exploration along with generative practices that involve reflexivity, automorphogenesis, and recursive feedback loops. In recognising auto-cannibalism as an analogy for broader socio-political and environmental concerns, one of the challenges for artistic research is to respond imaginatively to the dynamic tensions between self-destruction and regeneration.
“A kiss is the beginning of cannibalism.”
We encourage the exploration of auto-cannibalism in its widest interpretation and invite researchers, artists and scholars of all backgrounds and in all stages of their careers to think of this call for contributions as the first kiss and to propose artworks, cooking classes, films, panels, papers, performances, workshops and other interventions which explore one of the following themes:
- Digestion Breaking down Methodological Introspection
- Regurgitation Reflexivity and Repetition in Artistic Practice
- Regeneration Artistic Research as a Process of Becoming
The ninth edition of the SAR International Conference on Artistic Research is organised by Geoff Cox, Azadeh Fatehrad, Allister Gall, Laura Hopes, Anya Lewin and Andrew Prior in partnership with Society for Artistic Research represented by Johan Haarberg, Gabriele Schmid and Geir Strøm. The conference is hosted by the Arts Institute at the University of Plymouth with additional support from Kingston University.
Submission Guidelines
Individual Paper (20 minutes)
You may propose an individual 20-minute paper on any topic related to the conference theme. All papers must be presented in person at the conference by their authors (or at least one author, if jointly written). You may propose a performative paper. Papers will be curated thematically by the conference organisers.
Living Poster (5–8 minutes)
A ‘living poster’ is a 5–8 minute presentation of research information arising from the conference theme, accompanied by either a single PowerPoint / projected slide or else an A0 paper poster (produced by the presenter). We anticipate that living posters will be proposed to either supplement a performance or exhibition piece that is being presented during the conference, or else by students that are submitting their first papers. We will try to schedule live posters alongside 20 minute papers in sessions that have been curated thematically by the conference organisers
Panel (90 minutes)
A panel involves at least three presenters (including a chair), exploring a common theme or issue. It can comprise a number of papers/presentations or take the form of a conversation or roundtable. You may request that a panel is scheduled in a classroom, studio or cinema space. No more than 2 presenters in a proposed panel may be based at the same institution (unless they are presenting a joint or collaborative paper within it). Panel proposals must outline who is involved and how each person will contribute (with individual abstracts supporting an overarching one if necessary).
Workshop (90 minutes)
Workshops should be 90 minutes in length. They can have between one to three presenters/facilitators. Workshops should be interactive and allow the participants time to explore, engage with and practice the concepts, technologies and ideas presented. Proposals must outline both the activities and the key outcomes for participants. It is possible to ask participants to sign up for the workshop in advance and to limit numbers of participants if necessary. Workshops can be located in either a classroom or performance studio space with minimum technical support. Maximum set up and get out time is 20 minutes (each).
Screenings
You may propose digital video screenings up to 60 minutes in length for stand-alone films or to present documentation of other projects. Discussion time will be scheduled following all screenings and it is also possible to combine a short research paper/introduction with screenings (total maximum time including introduction and discussion is 90 minutes). This must be indicated in the proposal. Screenings will be located in either the Jill Craigie Cinema.
Performance, exhibition or installation
You may propose installations, exhibitions or performances of up to 60 minutes in length in one of our three studio spaces (RLB 307, RLB 308 or House Studio), or our two small white cube gallery spaces (RLB 101 or Scott Foyer). Lighting plans, etc. will need to be received at least 7 days prior to the conference to enable our technicians to rig and must be based on resources currently in the space. You will be entitled to a single technical rehearsal of up to one hour in length prior to the performance (not necessarily immediately preceding) and a technician will be available to support your performance if required. Maximum set-up time (prior to technical rehearsal) and get out time is 60 minutes each. It is also possible to propose introduction and discussion time before and after your performance (total maximum time available is 90 minutes).
We are also able to accommodate installations and exhibitions in gallery style spaces and some public spaces with little or no technical support. These may be set up for a single day or the duration of the conference and you may propose scheduled times for introduction or discussion. We will try to organize an invigilator when you are not available, but cannot guarantee this. It is also possible to propose pop up performances, exhibitions and installations in other spaces across campus (indoors and outdoors) and possibly during conference ‘social times’. Please e-mail us with your ideas informally prior to submitting your proposal so we can work through possibilities with you.
Please note that we are unable to pay any fees or meet any personal expenditure related to travel and accommodation or those related to the presentation of creative practice at the conference. Discounts will be available for students. All presenters are required to pay a conference fee; (with the exception of performers/technicians who are not named on the proposal and do not attend any other conferences sessions).
List of Topics
Artistic Research as a Process of Becoming
Dynamic tensions between becoming and non-becoming; exploring the nonhuman and ‘non-humanities’; and the ways in which the above context occurs within epistemological philosophy
Reflexivity and Repetition in Artistic Practice
Practices that involve automorphogenesis, recursive feedback loops and methodological critique.
Going Beyond Methodological Introspection
Objects and relationality, wild ecologies and the anthropocene, the influence of technology and planetary scale computation, the importance of archives, storage systems and big data, the complex temporalities of research, deep understandings of what constitutes practice, and the breakdown of relations between the subjects and objects of research.
Invited Speakers
- Elaine Gan
- Ayesha Hameed
- Speaker 3 TBC
- Speaker 4 TBC
Venue
The conference will be held at University of Plymouth in Plymouth, UK
Contact
All questions about submissions should be emailed to anya.lewin@plymouth.ac.uk (please use the subject header “ARWEI Conference”)