Eighteenth-Century Speculations (NEASECS\AtSECS 2001 Conference)
Chaos and the Borders of the Comprehensible
1-4 November 2001, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Possible discussion topics for the session:
What notions of =93comprehensibility and incomprehensibility were held by writers, composers, readers, listeners, critics, etc. in the
long eighteenth century?
How did "Ideology" (in the sense of the study/knowledge of ideas)interplay with such ideas in the Enlightenment?
What was the place of the chaotic in the eighteenth century?
Were/how were incomprehensible margins/borders of art
theorized? For example, through aesthetic categories such as the sublime, beautiful,and perhaps most especially the picturesque; via the ironic mode; through
the metaphor of science in the inquiry into arts, and through linguistic
metaphors.
In the arts in particular, what did it mean for a work to be
coherent? (And indeed, is it helpful/relevant to speak of a "work" concept or concepts at this time?) How do we understand eighteenth century notions of unity in art works? How and why were such ideas valorized and=20
theorized?
Did/how did new areas of scientific inquiry and discovery help shape a discursive/speculative space for new developments in the arts at this time?
The session is intended to be interdisciplinary.
Further information about the conference, including a listing of the
other sessions, can be found at the following site:
http://www.dal.ca/~neasecs/
Proposals should include a title and an abstract of no more than 250 words. In addition, please include your name, institution of affiliation, a street mailing address, e-mail address, phone number, and a list of any audiovisual requirements. Note that you do not have to be a member of
NEASECS or AtSECS to submit a proposal. You can become a member at the time of the conference, if you attend.