University of Michigan October 3-5, 1997
In European culture from the fifteenth to seventeenth centuries a dichotomy between a supposed "natural" body and its cultural veiling was not clear cut. Both the body and its various cultural coverings could be porous, as were the concomitant concepts of "public" and "private". This interdisciplinary conference at the University of Michigan (October 3-5, 1997) considers various manifestations and significances of a gendered body and its veiling in social practices and discursive constructions. Ten visiting scholars will deliver papers alongside a nearly equal number of local faculty and graduate students.
The keynote address will be given by Peter Stallybrass and Ann Rosalind Jones. Visitors are Giulia Calvi, Tom Conley, William Eamon, Valentin Groebner, Katherine Park, Patricia Parker, Richard Rambuss and Patricia Seed. Papers will address such topics as costume, anatomy, scientific "secrets", cartography, rhetorical and legal notions of the "veil", erotic practices of revelation and concealment in painting and Neoplatonism, and colonizing practices in the "New World". An exhibition, concert by the Harp Consort, and workshops are also planned.
Conference program below. For more information contact Pat Simons in History of Art (313) 764-5400 or see our website: www.umich.edu/~veil/
PROGRAM:
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3
Workshops 9-12 a.m.
ON THE EXHIBITION: "THE BODY (UN)VEILED: BOUNDARIES OF THE FIGURE IN EARLY MODERN EUROPE" Corridor Gallery, Museum of Art
"MEDICAL BODIES" Institute for the Humanities, Rackham, Room 1524
"FRAMING THE INVISIBLE: SCIENCE, THE NEW WORLD, AND SEEING THE SELF" 1024 Tisch Hall
Welcome 2.00 p.m.
Session I: "RHETORICAL" STRATEGIES 2-5 p.m. Angell Hall Auditorium B Chair: Steven Mullaney, English, UM
RECEPTION AT THE EXHIBITION "THE BODY (UN)VEILED: BOUNDARIES OF THE FIGURE IN EARLY MODERN EUROPE" 5.30-7.15 p.m. Corridor Gallery Museum of Art
KEYNOTE LECTURE: "DRESSING/UNDRESSING: CONSTITUTING THE SUBJECT IN EARLY MODERN EUROPE" 7.30 p.m. Hutchins Hall Room 100 Honigman Auditorium
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4
Session II: COSTUMES AND CUSTOMS 9-12 a.m. Angell Hall Auditorium B
Chair: Alison Cornish, Romance Languages [Italian], UM
Session III: "SECRET" SPACES 2-5 p.m. Angell Hall Auditorium B
Chair: Elizabeth Horodowich, graduate student, History, UM
PRE-CONCERT LECTURE 7.15 p.m. University Reformed Church 1001 East Huron (behind Rackham)
CONCERT 8.00 p.m. University Reformed Church 1001 East Huron (behind Rackham)
VENUS (UN)VEILED: SONGS FROM SEVENTEENTH-CENTURY SPAIN, DANCES FROM AFRICA AND MEXICO, OPERA FROM PERU
Tickets $20 ($15 students): available at the door and at locations TBA
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5
Session IV: CARTOGRAPHIES OF THE BODY 9.30 a.m. -1.00 p.m. Angell Hall Auditorium B
Chair: Celeste Brusati, History of Art, UM
CONCLUDING REMARKS: Domna Stanton (Romance Languages [French]/Women's Studies, UM)
An international, interdisciplinary conference supported by the Institute for Research on Women and Gender, the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies, the College of Literature, Science and the Arts, the Office for the Vice President for Research, the Centre for European Studies, the Programme for British Studies, the International Institute, the Program in Society and Medicine (Medical School), the School of Music, the Women's Studies Program, the Medieval and Renaissance Collegium, and the Departments of English, German, History, History of Art, and Romance Languages. Unless otherwise noted, all events are free and open to the public.
