The Centre for the Study of Theory and Criticism is presenting a three-day graduate student conference Sept. 25-27 on ‘The Artfulness of Play.’
Organizers say the gathering will explore “the playful connections between art and academia through a variety of performances, lectures, and visual displays.”
Among participants is London artist Jamelie Hassan who will present a keynote speech Sept. 27 about her recent bookwork and art installation, entitled Smurfistan. It takes place between 10:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. at University College in Conron Hall.
Other contributions include musical performances by Henry Svec and Karol Orzechowski (Ontario), a theatrical performance by The Stolen Chair Theatre Company (NYC), a multi-media spoken word performance by Roberto Lavidez and Joyne Lavides (Ontario), and the exhibition of works by visual artists Candace Mooers, Hope Wells, and Lyla Rye (Ontario and Alberta).
The Artfulness of Play will be an interdisciplinary exploration of how theories of play connect with everyday life, literature, and other philosophic discourses. Other keynotes include Western professor Helen Fielding and Trent University’s James Penney.
Other budding academics from Princeton University, Université de Montréal, York Unversity, University of California, and University of Western Ontario, will speak on a diverse range of topics including pedagogy, ethnography, gender and racial identity, urban architecture, Japanese pop culture and aesthetics.
View the program at www.uwo.ca/theory.
For more information contact Jennifer Gartner, conference co-chair, at jgartner@uwo.ca.