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****************************************************** * http://www.anthropologymatters.com * * A postgraduate project comprising online journal, * * online discussions, teaching and research resources * * and international contacts directory. * ****************************************************** Dear All, We still have space for one or two additional papers for our panel Natura artis magistra: nature is the teacher of artful skill at the ASA11: Vital powers and politics: human interactions with living things to be held at University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Lampeter, 13th-16th September 2011. There is still time to submit: The submission deadline has now been extended to Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011. Organizers: Griet Scheldeman, Lancaster University Petra Tjitske Kalshoven, University of Manchester Title Natura artis magistra: nature is the teacher of artful skill Abstract ‘Artis’ is a famous zoo in Amsterdam, established in 1838, a place where, according to its website, ‘nature meets culture’. Its name is short for natura artis magistra, Latin for ‘nature is the teacher of artful skill’, reflecting a nineteenth-century conception of nature as a model of perfect engineering, aesthetically pleasing and morally uplifting—an idea that has acquired a new lease of life in contemporary environmental discourse. For this panel, we invite papers that take inspiration from the Artis motto to explore the ways in which living other-than-human things have been, and still are, embraced as models for artful and skilful engagement by humans. Mindful of indigenous traditions that accommodate a wide range of natural phenomena in the category of ‘living things’, we are interested in ethnographic approaches to practices of art, craft, and science that take their cue from animals, plants, light, or sedimentation. Practices may range from direct material borrowings from nature (revived through taxidermy or rearranged in landscape art) to sensory emulation (as in perfume manufacturing). They may include manicured miniature versions of nature (as in landscape gardening), explorations of natural phenomena on canvas or in carvings (as in Haida split representation), but also core sampling for scientific and environmental purposes. Within these parameters, a central question that we would like to address, triggered by the caged animals in the Artis zoo, is that of the power invested in the ‘natural’ model: what pull does nature continue to exert in human practices of creativity? To submit a paper, please visit http://www.nomadit.co.uk/asa/asa2011/panels.php5?PanelID=919 For general information about the conference, see http://www.theasa.org/conferences/asa11/index.shtml Looking forward to your submissions! Griet Scheldeman Petra Tjitske Kalshoven ************************************************************* * Anthropology-Matters Mailing List * * To join this list or to look at the archived previous * * messages visit: * * http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/Anthropology-Matters.HTML * * If you have ALREADY subscribed: to send a message to all * * those currently subscribed to the list,just send mail to: * * [log in to unmask] * * * * Enjoyed the mailing list? Why not join the new * * CONTACTS SECTION @ www.anthropologymatters.com * * an international directory of anthropology researchers * ***************************************************************