Visibility Conference – Askance? Oblique – 31 March 2017
It is central to the shaping of political, ethical and socio-economic concerns, in culture and within the subcultures it informs. Visibility within practice-based research can expose and question visual hierarchies, authority, authorship, the politics of technology, balances of power and representation or prompt dissent. Here, visibility is a concept that we have adapted and extended from the philosophies of Michel Foucault and Gilles Deleuze, where it shifts from a quality; of visibility, to an entity; the visibility. The concept of visibility generates a dual arrangement: of what can be seen operating with what cannot be seen. Our understanding of visibility provides a broad contemporary framework founded in the histories of post-colonialism and feminism.
We will examine the many dialogues which incorporate themes of visibility within art, visual practice and participatory practice to prompt a discussion between multiple disciplines. Artwork that incorporates documentation expands the making process into one that could involve broader considerations, such as gaining access, subject matter, permissions, negotiating authorship, representation and use of technology or technique. This dynamic thematic will enable new perspectives on the conditions of practice based research.
Some questions which we will consider:
Who or what is made visible, and what remains invisible?
How do perceptions of visibility affect power dynamics?
What is hidden within practice-based artistic research?
How are the politics of representation examined through visibility within arts practice?
How does visibility broaden considerations of context and approach within practice-based research?
Our speakers and researchers cover a diverse range of disciplines. For more information please visit our conference website.
The conference takes place on 31st March 2017, Cantor Building, Sheffield Hallam University. We have limited tickets available please ensure that if you wish to attend you have booked your ticket through Eventbrite.
Organised by a group of practice-based C3RI PhD students, this project is funded by the Sheffield Hallam University Doctoral School.
Contact: invisibilityconference [at] gmail [dot] com