Home
/
Search
/
sofia
Back

Call for Papers: São Paulo 2017

Dec 13, 2016

IFTR 2017, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil
10-14 July, 2017

http://www.iftr.org/conference
 
Unstable Geographies, Multiple Theatricalities
Deadline for bursary applications: 22 December 2016
Deadline for proposals: 15 January 2017

“Space must be considered as a totality, like the society itself that gives life to it (...) Space must be considered as a set of functions and forms that arise through processes of the past and present.”
Milton Santos

The 2017 conference theme, Unstable Geographies, Multiple Theatricalities, aims at the political and economic issues underlying the territorial and symbolic conflicts of a globalized world and, at the same time, targets the expansiveness of theatrical and performative fields that recognize and surprise each other. Massive migrations and the growing deterritorialization of human cultures have been accompanied by increasingly unstable artistic standards, concepts and institutional relations.

The Scenography Working Group (SWG) of the International Federation for Theatre Research (IFTR) invites paper proposals for our forthcoming meeting at the IFTR annual conference in São Paulo in July 2017. The aim of the Working Group is to address design for performance in all of its theatrical forms (design of space/set, costume, sound, light, multimedia, objects, masks and makeup, etc.) and including events that may be staged well beyond conventional theatre buildings.

Theme
For our meeting in São Paulo we will be adopting the main theme of the IFTR conference (see above, and IFTR website ) which offers the opportunity to explore the discipline of scenography in relation to its geographies and theatricalities. Contributions may address (but are not restricted to):


The working group welcomes diverse responses to the above theme, and proposals from researchers from diverse disciplinary backgrounds as well as scenography specialists from all fields of performance design. The working group invites presentations in different forms (see below).

About the IFTR Scenography Working Group
This working group's research focuses upon the history, theory, aesthetics and practice of scenography through a specific program of meetings, presentations and publication. The group also aims to nurture and develop new contributions to practice-led research by providing opportunities for scenographers and designers to discuss their work and exchange ideas in an international academic forum. Our research investigates scenographic elements, (including: costume, setting, make-up, sound design, lighting design, projection design, masks, puppets and objects) and considers their proxemic relationship to performers and audiences in traditional and non-traditional spaces. Such research considers both contemporary practice and the influences of scenography on theatrical form and the audience experience of performance. By offering opportunities to share and discuss members’ research in a variety of formats, we aim to promote aesthetic, theoretical and philosophical investigations that are both distinct from and inclusive of technological developments for performance.

The Scenography Working Group welcomes early career researchers and postgraduate scholars (either as presenters or observer/participants) although they may also wish to contribute to the IFTR New Scholars programme, which may be more appropriate. IFTR rules prevent individuals from presenting more than one paper during the conference.

Working Group Co-convenors
Nick Hunt nick.hunt@bruford.ac.uk
Sofia Pantouvaki sofsceno@gmail.com

Format of Presentation
Following our successful ‘Shared Space’ symposium at the Prague Quadrennial in June 2015 where the Seminar/Provocation model was introduced, the Scenography Working Group invite proposals for the São Paulo meeting in EITHER of these formats:

  1. Academic paper presentation (20 minute maximum) followed by questions:Abstracts will be double blind peer reviewed before acceptance. Papers (usually around 3,500 words) will be made available to participants two weeks before the conference. Presenters are encouraged not to read papers in full, but to guide the audience through the main arguments and ideas. The formal presentation will be followed by a question and answer session to promote in-depth discussion and constructive debate within a supportive environment. This format is ideal for those looking for feedback prior to a future submission for publication.
  2. Seminar Proposal / Provocation for focused group discussion (15 minute maximum):Presentation will be followed by small group discussions responding to the themes of the provocation. Abstracts will be double blind peer reviewed before acceptance. An outline of the proposal/paper will be made available to participants two weeks before the conference. This format is useful in developing ideas, connections and gaining further theoretical insights as part of the process of research within a supportive environment.


Submission Procedures
Submission must be done through the IFTR registration process (see links below). After you submit your abstract through IFTR, please also email a copy to the conveners. Please ensure you make it clear if your proposal is for an academic paper or a seminar/provocation.

The deadline for submission of abstracts is 15 January 2017. (If you apply for a bursary by 22 December 2016, you also have to submit your abstract via the conference website by 15 January 2017.)

Please note that to submit an abstract for consideration you must be a member of IFTR. To present at the World Congress each member will need to buy membership of IFTR and in Spring 2017 register and pay for the conference (IFTR operate a banding system and a number of concessions are available).

Additional information such as the form the proposed submission will take and any information about restrictions to your availability over the course of the IFTR World Congress should be included on the online form under ‘equipment required’ and MUST be discussed (via email) with the Working Group co-convenors. 

We anticipate that the process of peer review and presentation as part of the working group’s proceedings will be beneficial to the process of publication in a range of peer-reviewed published volumes in the field.

Please note: IFTR rules prevent individuals from presenting more than one paper during the conference.

Links
Working Group Co-convenors
Nick Hunt nick.hunt@bruford.ac.uk
Sofia Pantouvaki sofsceno@gmail.com
IFTR website www.iftr.org
IFTR bursary information
IFTR membership and registration at Cambridge Journals Online
IFTR abstract submission at Cambridge Journals Online

Bursaries
IFTR supports researchers suffering financial hardship by providing a limited number of bursaries each year. These bursaries are awarded on the basis of merit, relevance to the conference or Working Group theme, and financial need. Please visit www.iftr.org for information and instructions about bursaries, and to download the application form.