Talk The spaces of reflectivity and writing workshops with Derek McCormack

"In this talk I will offer an account of the cultural geographies of reflectivity. In the social sciences and humanities, including human geography, reflection has tended to be understood primarily in terms of vision, and has usually been linked to the process of contemplation. Particular attention has been paid to the mirror as a representational space for examining critically the fragmented composition of subjects and worlds. In this talk I make the case for extending the space of reflection beyond the visual, however, situating it in relation to reflectivity – a more expansive set of processes involving the wider spectrum of electromagnetic radiation including, for instance, heat. I consider the value of engaging with the diverse materials, meanings, and sensory registers of this expanded understanding of reflectivity.

In order to develop this discussion I focus on a specific object – the ‘emergency’ or ‘space’ blanket. Noting the resonant symbolism of the use of this blanket to envelop displaced bodies at border zones, I then examine artistic efforts to work with the aesthetics of this object in a range of works and performances. In concluding I suggest that in their experiments with the emergency blanket, these artistic works direct our attention to the diverse experiences of bodies as they become exposed to the changing conditions of elemental worlds."
 

This conference will be followed by a research writing workshop on May 22 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm, open to doctoral students and teacher-researchers.
A second workshop is scheduled for June 12 from 9:00 to 12:00.

Dereck McCormack will also be present from September 11 to 22.