News Article: Annual Congress of the French Shakespeare Society to Focus on the Art of Detail
The Annual Congress of the French Shakespeare Society has announced its theme for the upcoming event, which will be held from March 14-16, 2024, at the Deutsch de la Meurthe Foundation in Paris. Titled “Shakespeare in focus: the art of small things,” the congress aims to explore the various forms of detail and the minimum in Shakespeare’s works and the culture of early modernity.
The congress takes inspiration from Ben Jonson’s eulogy to Shakespeare in his poem addressed to the poet for the publication of the first folio. Jonson praised Shakespeare’s greatness, emphasizing the balance between the very large and the very small, or the detail. He highlighted the precision of Shakespeare’s verses and his well-turned lines, as well as his knowledge of ancient culture despite having limited exposure to Latin and Greek.
The congress seeks to shift the focus from the grand and infinite to the details and small or short forms in literature and culture. Drawing from art historian Daniel Arasse’s concept of being “alerted by the detail,” the congress aims to explore the possibilities and meanings carried by words, everyday objects, facts, and moments. It encourages the study of minute forms and references to the minuscule, with a preference for short forms and minimal changes to words or details in the text.
The stage itself will also be examined as a reduced space or a place where drama becomes a process of reducing history. Proposals for presentations and papers are invited on various topics related to Shakespeare, his contemporaries, and the culture and history of early modernity. These topics include verse, sonnets, marks on manuscripts, small objects like coins and jewelry, references to smallness or short size, visual arts such as miniatures, traces, particles, fragments, details, micro-history, gnomic forms, epigrams, abridged Shakespeare, and the stage as a place of reduction.
The congress invites interested participants to submit their communication proposals by September 15, 2023, including the title, keywords, and an abstract of approximately 300 words. The proposals should be accompanied by a short biobibliographical note. The answers regarding the acceptance of proposals will be given on October 15, 2023, and the communications during the congress will last for 20 minutes.
The scientific committee, consisting of renowned scholars in the field, will review the proposals and contribute to the selection process. The committee includes Gilles Bertheau, Louise Fang, Patricia Fumerton, Jane Kingsley-Smith, Anne-Marie Miller-Blaise, Mickael Popelard, Tiffany Stern, Christine Sukic, Clotilde Thouret, and Nathalie Vienne-Guerrin.
The congress promises to be a platform for in-depth discussions and exploration of the art of detail in Shakespeare’s works and the early modern period. It aims to shed light on the significance and impact of small things and their contribution to the understanding of literature, culture, and history.
For more information and submission guidelines, interested individuals can visit the official website of the French Shakespeare Society or email their proposals to congres2024@societefrancaiseshakespeare.org.ace, and instead focus on the various forms of detail and the minuscule. This will allow us to explore the history of literature and culture by paying close attention to the details and seeking the possibilities they offer.
The theme of the congress is “Shakespeare Close-Up: The Art of Detail,” and it will take place from March 14-16, 2024, at the Deutsch de la Meurthe Foundation in Paris. The aim of the congress is to examine different aspects of detail and the minimum in relation to Shakespeare’s works, as well as the works of his contemporaries and the culture and history of early modernity.
The congress welcomes proposals that explore various forms of detail, including but not limited to:
1. Verse, sonnets, and marks on manuscripts.
2. Small items such as coins, jewelry, everyday objects, accessories, and ornaments.
3. References to smallness or short stature in characters like Hermia, miniature creatures like Queen Mab, Mote, and Puck.
4. Visual arts, particularly the miniature.
5. Traces, particles, fragments, and other details.
6. Micro-history and its analysis of infinitesimal traces.
7. Gnomic forms and epigrams.
8. Abridged versions of Shakespeare’s works or attempts to summarize or adapt them in small or short performances.
9. The stage as a place of reduction.
10. Micro-lectures and micro-critiques.
To participate in the congress, interested individuals are requested to submit their communication proposals by September 15, 2023. The proposal should include the title of the communication, keywords, and an abstract of approximately 300 words. Additionally, a short biobibliographical note should be included. Submissions can be sent to congres2024@societefrancaiseshakespeare.org.
The scientific committee, consisting of esteemed scholars in the field, will review the proposals and announce the accepted communications on October 15, 2023. Each presentation will be allocated 20 minutes.
For further information and updates, interested individuals can refer to the provided website of the French Shakespeare Society.
Bibliography:
– Arasse, Daniel, The Detail. For a closer history of painting, Paris, Flammarion [1992]2008.
– Dulac, Anne-Valérie and Céline Cachaud, file “The miniature in modern times”, Etudes Epistémè 36, 2019.
– Geertz, Clifford, The Interpretation of Cultures, New York, Basic Books, 1973.
– Ginzburg, Carlo, “Signs, Traces, Tracks. Roots of a paradigm of the index”, Le Débat, n°6, 1980.
– Hugo, Victor, William Shakespeare, Paris, Librairie Internationale, 1864.
– Nace, Nicholas, Russ McDonald et Travis D. Williams, Shakespeare Up Close: Reading Early Modern Texts, The Arden Shakespeare, Bloomsbury Publishing, 2013.
Overall, the Annual Congress of the French Shakespeare Society in 2024 will provide a platform for scholars and enthusiasts to delve into the art of detail in Shakespeare’s works and early modern culture. It promises to be a stimulating event for those interested in exploring the intricacies and nuances that lie within the smallest elements of literature and history.
How does the reduction of history in the stage space impact our understanding of literature and culture in Orks?
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9. The stage as a space of reduction and the process of reducing history.
Interested participants are invited to submit their proposals for presentations and papers by September 15, 2023. The proposals should include a title, keywords, and an abstract of approximately 300 words, along with a short biobibliographical note. The scientific committee, composed of renowned scholars in the field, will review the proposals and notify the acceptance by October 15, 2023.
The congress aims to foster in-depth discussions and exploration of the art of detail in Shakespeare’s works and the early modern period. It seeks to highlight the significance and impact of small things and their contribution to the understanding of literature, culture, and history.
For more information and submission guidelines, interested individuals can visit the official website of the French Shakespeare Society or email their proposals to congres2024@societefrancaiseshakespeare.org.
This article offers an exciting glimpse into the Annual Congress of the French Shakespeare Society, where scholars and enthusiasts will have the opportunity to delve into the intricate details of Shakespeare’s work. Set in the vibrant city of Paris, this event promises to be a captivating exploration of the Bard’s artistry.