Call for Papers: 13th International Semiotics Congress 2011, Potsdam 12th-16th October 2011, Section "As If"

[Daniel H. Rellstab]

Call for Papers: 

13th International Semiotics Congress 2011, Potsdam, Germany, October 12-16, 2011, 
Section "As If"

As If: Figurative and Linguistic Representation as Virtual Practice


Ernest W.B. Hess-Lüttich, Eva Kimminich, Daniel Rellstab & Klaus Sachs-Hombach

The contributions to this section treat the phenomenon virtual practice in the mode of the ‘as if' from diverse perspectives of media, cultural, linguistic and image sciences. The expressions ‘image' and ‘figurative representation' are thereby broadly interpreted: they do not merely refer to the static image but also include image worlds given in ‘virtual realities' (for instance in individual as well as collective internet presences, multimedia texts, etc.). The ability of imagination is based on figurative as well as linguistic representations insofar as we exemplify real (or fictitious) scenes, which transcend our awareness situation, by means of (concrete) images. In images objects and circumstances are rendered available non-situational (as in language and literature). We relate to them ‘as if' they were present. Opposed to the linguistic presentation, however, the figurative does not only deliver points of crystallisation for our imaginations but allocates concrete clues for the sensomotoric activities, which we execute in the perceptual acquisition of the phantasmal context given in the image. Figurative representations can therefore count as a form of ‘virtual practise': practise insofar as the sensomotoric activities are indeed (respectively can be) intentional and goal oriented, virtual insofar as they (at least initially) remain in the space of the imagination. This is particularly noticeable in subcultures, in which virtuality donates an important interval between imagination and reality, between perception and depiction: in respect of identity formation as well as the acquisition and development of specific skills and the staging and marketing of subcultural capital.


Paper proposals of no more than 400 words (max and including references, if necessary) are invited. The deadline for receipt of abstracts is the January 31, 2011. Abstracts should not include the name and affiliation of the author(s). 

Please send the proposals to: daniel.rellstab at germ.unibe.ch

Details on the conference can be found on the following website: http://www.semiose.de/index.php?id=599,80      

With my best wishes,

Daniel Rellstab



University of Berne
German Department

Dr. Daniel H. Rellstab
Senior Assistant

Länggass-Str. 49
CH-3000 Bern 9
Tel. +41 (0)31 631 83 15
Fax +41 (0)31 631 37 88
mailto: daniel.rellstab at germ.unibe.ch
http://www.germanistik.unibe.ch/rellstab/



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