[ecrea] cfp - Beyond Representation: Photography, Humans & Computers

Call for Papers

*Beyond Representation:
Photography, Humans&  Computers*

24---25 May 2012

Centre for Media&  Culture Research, London South Bank University
in association with the journal/Philosophy of Photography/

There is a pressing need to reframe photographic theory to account for
the radical reorientation of image production brought about by computer
networks. In a world where air-conditioned server-farms create the real
landscape, and where reality is augmented on screens, what do these
organizational systems tell us about the ways images operate in network
ecologies? As images circulate in the network, acquiring new contexts at
each instance, how are we to approach the ontologies of the digital image?

/Beyond Representation/  considers the current fate of photography in
digital culture and aims to advance our understanding of the
contemporary state-of-play through a call for transdisciplinary
contributions that will help to reconsider approaches to photography
within networked cultures.

The conference considers whether there is a need to rethink spatiality
and temporality in light of new strategies for mediating the world
through photography. Furthermore it asks whether there is a need to
examine the paradigm of representation in the face of digital code and
computer metadata. We are calling for new speculations, theory, analysis
and provocations to help reframe photographic theory and our
understandings of the utility, temporality and circulation of digital
images.

This conference aims to locate new ways of interrogating the
relationship of theory and technology. It makes an open call for
contributions that enlarge our understanding of photography and address
the question of the materiality of the online image. Cutting across
disciplinary borders, we welcome papers from scholars, researchers,
research students, academics, practitioners and curators working in any
of the areas below. The organizers are keen to encourage
transdisciplinary approaches and welcome abstracts from unexpected
places of enquiry.

The conference seeks to establish transdisciplinary connections between
photography and the following fields of study: Geography, Law,
Economics, Criminology, Performance Studies, Cultural Studies, Visual
Culture, Image Studies, Sonic/Aural Culture, Philosophy, Computer
Science, Science and Technology Studies, Software Studies, Art History,
History of Media, Media Archaeology, Post-colonial Studies, Literary
Studies, Anthropology.

Themes and topics that might be addressed include, but are not limited to:

· Connections between philosophy, critical theory and photography

· Research methodologies for post-digital image

· Digital photography and curatorial practices

· Tagging and metadata

· Synthetic imaging

· Ethics and politics of the digital image

· Viral images and memes

· Photography and data mining

· Image capitalism

· Photography and interface culture

· Non-representational image theory

· The public life of the image

All papers will be considered for publication.

*Deadline for abstracts:* *1 December 2011*

* *

Individual papers: 500 word abstract.

Panel proposals: 500 word abstract of the panel's theme with details of
the panel's chair and possible contributors.

Please send abstracts to Daniel Rubinstein ((Daniel.Rubinstein /at/ lsbu.ac.uk)
<mailto:(Daniel.Rubinstein /at/ lsbu.ac.uk)>).

_ _

*Registration*

_Full Conference_

Early Bird Rate: £150/£75 concessions

Standard Rate: £200/£100 concessions

_Single Day_

Early Bird Rate: £80/£35 concessions

Standard Rate: £120/£55 concessions

The Early Bird Rate will be available from 1 February 2012, when
registration opens, until 31 March 2012, after which the standard rates
apply.