Session Types, or, Interventions Into the Conference

One of the goals of Multiple Li(v)es... is to disrupt divisions between artistic production and critical commentary, and to find alternate ways to perform criticism outside of the typical structures of an academic conference. This is most obvious in the decision to host a Keynote Performance piece, but it can also be seen in the range of different presentation types taking place on the day of the conference itself.

The session types are as follows:

PANEL PRESENTATIONS 
●      Aims:
As is tradition, panel presentations give scholars the opportunity to present a sustained inquiry into their particular subject. The presenter should make their work accessible for an interdisciplinary and diverse audience. In each session there will be additional time set aside for questions and for the panelists to discuss their ideas with their peers.

ROUNDTABLE PRESENTATIONS

●      Aims
Roundtables allow for each participant’s work to be discussed in a context where ideas can be debated in more depth than in panel presentations. In the context of Multiple Li(v)es, roundtables serve as a site where makers/scholars can contribute their perspectives on various issues posed by the contemporary domains of art, design, and new media.

The format of the roundtable may be presented using the Socratic Circle: Inner/Outer Circle method. The interest is in breaking with the hierarchical method of presentation to encourage participation by the audience.

In an effort to open up the types of methodologies we engage in as scholars, we invite session participants to contribute to the creation of a collaborative document, via Google Drive, before and after the conference. This document will endeavor to collect preliminary questions, as well as to summarize and respond to the issues raised. This document may be published in Kapsula Magazine along with audio documentation of the discussion.

WORKSHOP SESSIONS

●      Aims
Workshops are a way for scholars and makers to practice critical inquiry in ways that challenge traditional critical methodologies. With the introduction of several workshops that blur the lines between practice and theory we hope to destabilize traditional conceptions of an academic conference and prompt thought about the ways in which theoretical work may be performed.