SILENT LANGUAGES: CHARACTERS, NOTES AND SYMBOLS IN THE EARLY MODERN PERIOD
Birkbeck, University of London, 12-13 APRIL 2002
The idea of this conference is to explore the diverse uses and functions of symbolic notation in the early modern period. Beginning with the question of the emergence of algebraic notation against a background of apparently 'unscientific' uses made of various kinds of symbolic notations in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, the conference organisers hope that this conference will stimulate a debate about the nature of the 'sign' and the 'symbol' in the Renaissance. Bringing together papers on algebra, Lullism, cryptography, universal languages, shorthand, the cabala, emblems, musical notation and magical characters we will explore the complex milieu in which symbolic notation emerged in the Renaissance through a wide range of interdisciplinary papers.
SPEAKERS:
Professor Michael Bath, (University of Strathclyde): 'Emblems as Notations'.
Dr Patricia Brewerton (Birkbeck, University of London): 'Secret, swift and short : the potential of Timothy Bright's "characterie"'.
Dr. Stephen Clucas, (Birkbeck, University of London): 'Meanings of early modern notation'
Professor Thomas Ernst, (La Roche College): 'The cryptological foundations of and influences on Trithemius's Steganographia.'
Dr J.V. Field, (Birkbeck, University of London): 'Algebra: from words to symbols'
Peter Forshaw (Birkbeck, University of London): 'Christian Cabala'
Dr Andrew Gordon (University of Aberdeen): '"If my sign could speak": the language of visual signs in early modern London'.
Dr. Håkan Håkansson, (Lund University): 'Symbols of power: talismans, rituals, and sacraments in early modern magic'
Dr Martin Ham (London) 'Sound and silence: symbolic techniques in renaissance music'.
Dr. Thomas Leinkauf, (Munster University) 'Lullist Notation' .
Dr. Alan Stewart, (Reader, Birkbeck, University of London) 'Bacon's Universal Languages'
Dr. Sue Wiseman (Reader, Birkbeck, University of London) 'The Natural Language of the Hand'
For more information contact the conference organisers:
Dr Patricia Brewerton: [log in to unmask]
Dr Stephen Clucas: [log in to unmask]
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Dr Stephen Clucas
School of English and Humanities,
Birkbeck College,
University of London,
Malet Street,
London, WC1E 7HX.
Tel: 020 7631 6075
Fax: 020 7631 6072
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
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