CONVOCATION II
CALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS
DEADLINE: MONDAY 12 JUNE 2023
A Gathering of Language-based Artistic Research
3 – 6 October 2023
Zentrum Fokus Forschung
University of Applied Arts Vienna
Rustenschacherallee 2/4, 1020 Wien, Austria
Convocation — from com ‘with, together’ and vocare ‘to call’. We call for a live “coming together” of artistic researchers whose practices engage with the materiality and mediality of language: from the wordless corporeality of body language to the virtuality of digital text, from the voicing of spoken utterance to the textility of words on a page. Taking place in Vienna (3 – 6 October 2023), Convocation II is a gathering of expanded language-based artistic research, focused on the sharing of practices. Convocation II is conceived as a reciprocal space for creating interconnections with a wider international community of artistic researchers working with language. The focus on language within artistic research is considered from a broad and transforming perspective to include diverse fields such as visual arts, performance, film, theatre, music, choreography as well as literature. The intent is not to define or fix what language-based artistic research is but rather to reflect how it is practised in its diversity.
CALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS
- How can we share research practices?
- What new formats and models might be required?
- What happens as different practices are brought into relation, into dialogue, into proximity?
- How might we practise together?
LOCATION
The Zentrum Fokus Forschung is a unit at the University of Applied Arts Vienna, in which independent artistic research is generated and connected. The building itself comprises various indoor research spaces, surrounded by a walled garden. It is located on the edge of the Prater, a large public park in Leopoldstadt, Vienna. Proposals are invited that take advantage of this distinctive location — whether inside in the building or outside in the gardens, as well as further afield within the Prater or neighbouring district.
BACKGROUND
Convocation II is hosted by the Society of Artistic Research Special Interest Group for Language-based Artistic Research (co-founded by Emma Cocker, Alexander Damianisch, Cordula Daus and Lena Séraphin). It builds upon and extends conversations from Convocation I which took place within the frame of the Research Pavilion, Venice, 2019. Convocation II will create a live and in-person context for further ‘sharing practices’ of language-based artistic research, following publication of two online Practice Sharing presentations in 2020 and 2023.
WHO: Contributions are welcomed from: Individuals and/or Groups
We welcome proposals from individuals as well as from existing and new thematic nodes. We use the term “thematic node” to describe research groups initiated for engaging with a specific thematic focus, a field of attraction and resonant affinity, or a matter of urgency, e.g. Multilingual Approaches; Algorithmic Languages; Embodied Writing; Performative Writing; Text/Image; Neurodiverse Languaging(s); Speculative Fictioning; Eco-linguistic Practices. Examples of existing thematic nodes can be found here:
HOW: Contributions can take the format of: Practice Sharing or Glimpses
Practice Sharing (Duration: 30 minutes - 2 hours)
The Practice Sharing format focuses on an experiential encounter with the live unfolding of a practice — this mode of engagement could be participatory, performative, exploratory, speculative. How can you share your practice? How might others engage with/in/through your specific practice — what ways of dwelling in or inhabiting; activating or enacting; doing or not-doing together might be opened or shared? We invite diverse forms of sharing — which could include doing things together, walks, collective activities or exercises, performances, actions, workshop formats (and other possibilities …)
Glimpses (Duration: 10 mins each max)
The Glimpses format is conceived as short presentations to give a flavour or offer a glimpse into a practice. We welcome proposals from individuals as well as from existing and new thematic nodes. A node could present a short glimpse of their 'thematic' or gather together a series of short glimpses from different individual researchers.
HOW TO APPLY
PROPOSAL DETAILS
* Title:
* Who: For groups, please list group members as well as main contact.
Description (300 words max)
* Briefly outline how language-based practices feature within your artistic research approach?
* What language-based artistic research practice do you wish to share during Convocation II?
* How do you propose to share your practice?
* Which format of sharing do you propose: Practice Sharing (Duration: between 30 minutes - 2 hours [please specify in your application]) or Glimpses (Duration: 10 min. max)
* Requirements: Please describe preferred location (indoor/outdoor, etc.) and technical requirements.
Please note: The event will have minimal technical support – there will be a beamer/projector for presentations. Please consider if you need to bring specific technical items.
VISUALS/MATERIALS
1-3 images per practice (300 dpi, jpg format, 3 MB max), video [mov. or mp4 for video, max. 3 minute] or audio [wav. or mp3 for sound files, max 3 minute] showing/sharing the practice (if appropriate).
Deadline for proposals: noon 12 June 2023
Notification of acceptance no later than 28 June 2023.
WHERE TO SEND:
Please send submissions to emma.cocker@ntu.ac.uk, using the phrase ‘Convocation II 2023' in the email subject-line. In the case of large files, please send by wetransfer.com
RC expositions also welcomed (using above guidelines for word count/supporting materials etc.) – please send a link.
FUNDING/SUPPORT
Convocation II is free to attend for contributing participants. Selected contributors will be issued a letter of acceptance (on request) to assist you with funding from your own institutional and other funding sources.
We will provide further practical details e.g. suggestions for accommodation here shortly.