Here’s a conference coming up in April, with a January 1 deadline:<\/p>\n
International Symposium<\/p>\n
\u201cTextual Machines\u201d<\/p>\n
April 18, 2015<\/p>\n
The University of Georgia<\/p>\n
Athens, GA<\/p>\n
Keynote speakers<\/p>\n
– Janet MURRAY, Professor at the School of Literature, Media and Communication
\nat the Georgia Institute of Technology and interaction designer.<\/p>\n
– Serge BOUCHARDON, Professor at the University of Technology of Compiegne and
\nauthor of interactive fictions.<\/p>\n
Themes and topics<\/p>\n
\u201cTextual Machines\u201d is an international symposium exploring literary objects that
\nproduce texts through the material interaction with mechanical devices or
\nprocedures. We define \u201ctextual machines\u201d as a perspective on literature and book
\nobjects where text is \u201ca mechanical device for the production and consumption of
\nverbal signs\u201d (Espen J. Aarseth). From the symposium\u2019s perspective, textual
\nmachines are not limited to a specific media or epoch, and include literary
\nobjects ranging from early modern movable books, to modern pop-up books,
\nartist\u2019s books, game books, concrete poetry, combinatory literature, electronic
\nliterature and interactive fictions. A distinctive feature of textual machines
\nis that they invite readers to traverse text through the non-trivial
\nmanipulation of mechanistic devices or procedures: by navigating through
\nhyperlinks, footnotes, marginalia or other semiotic cues, or by answering to
\nconfigurational, exploratory or writing prompts.<\/p>\n
Possible areas of inquiry include, but are not limited to: \u00a0<\/p>\n
* <\/p>\n
Reading textual machines. What common reading functions are shared by
\n textual machines? How do readers navigate, maneuver, explore, configure,
\n probe, play or collate textual machines and their outcomes? What theoretical
\n concepts and analytical tools are best suited to describe the textuality of
\n such objects? How can readings of such objects be recorded, shared,
\n visualized and taught?<\/p>\n
* <\/p>\n
Situating textual machines. Beyond the cultural split between analog and
\n digital media, how do the mechanics and affordances of textual machines
\n relate to one another? What communities of readers and authors produce and
\n perform textual machines?<\/p>\n
* <\/p>\n
Preserving textual machines. What can media archaeology labs, museums and
\n rare book collections learn from one another in the process of preserving,
\n curating and making textual machines accessible?<\/p>\n
The Symposium \u201cTextual Machines\u201d will take place on April 18, 2015 at the
\nHargrett Rare Book & Manuscript Library at the University of Georgia, Athens,
\nGa. In parallel to the symposium, the Main Library of the University of Georgia
\nwill be hosting the \u201cTextual Machines\u201d exhibit, featuring works of electronic
\nliterature from the Digital Arts Library and rare books from the Hargrett
\nHargrett Rare Book & Manuscript Library.<\/p>\n
Selection Process<\/p>\n
Proposals are expected by January 1, 2015. They must be sent as an abstract of
\n800 – 1,000 words (excluding bibliography). Each proposal must indicate the
\nauthor\u2019s full name, status and institutional affiliation. Proposals should be
\nsent to baille@uga.edu.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Here’s a conference coming up in April, with a January 1 deadline: International Symposium \u201cTextual Machines\u201d April 18, 2015 The University of Georgia Athens, GA Keynote speakers – Janet MURRAY, Professor at the School of Literature, Media and Communication at the Georgia Institute of Technology and interaction designer. – Serge BOUCHARDON, Professor at the University … <\/p>\n