CFP: Material Culture, Craft & Community: Negotiating Objects Across Time & Place
May 20-21, 2011
University of Alberta
Material Culture Institute
This interdisciplinary conference will explore the varied expressions of craft – social, cultural and material – in past and present societies. Craft has a rich history and vibrant present-day practice, sustaining communities while negotiating cultures. Craft-made goods were and continue to be created for domestic or institutional use, for local or international markets; they express gender roles and cultural aspirations, sustaining economies. At the same time, craft practice defined and continues to define communities and groups, in the midst of global trade networks. Moreover, the flow of ideas, goods and peoples animate the making, circulation and meanings of craft goods. These issues will be addressed over the course of the conference.
Keynote Speaker:
Laurel Thatcher Ulrich, Harvard University
Confirmed Speakers:
Eiluned Edwards, London College of Fashion, UK
Edward S Cooke, Yale University
Janice Helland, Queen’s University, Kingston
Laura Peers, Pitt Rivers Museum, Oxford
Ruth Phillips, Carleton University, Ottawa
Paper proposals are invited on topics ranging from the history to present practice of craft production, use, trade, culture and meaning. Proposals are invited from all disciplines. The proposal package should include a paper summary of 150-200 words along with a two page CV. Proposals should be received by October 10, 2010.
Conference Organizer: Beverly Lemire, Department of History & Classics and Department of Human Ecology, University of Alberta
Proposals should be sent to: [email protected]
