Uncommon Senses III:
The Future of the Senses
(postponed)
Concordia University, Montreal
1-3 May 2020
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
Due to COVID-19, the Uncommon Senses III conference has been postponed until May 2021. For information about the 2021 conference click HERE.
INFO & REGISTRATION
To attend the conference you must have purchased a ticket online (CLICK HERE) or made arrangements with us by correspondence. The Information/Registration desk opens at 3:00 pm on May 1st and will remain open throughout the conference. Feel free to contact us with any questions, comments or concerns at senses@concordia.ca
ACCOMODATIONS
We have negotiated special rates at two hotels within easy walking distance (two blocks) of the conference centre.
The Chateau Versailles offers a deluxe room (single or double occupancy) for $155, and a “Fireplace king bedroom” for $175 + tax. An expanded continental breakfast is included in the rate. You can reserve by phone at +1 888 933-8111 or email reservations@versailleshotels.com and mention the following group code: CUE018 or Uncommon Senses III. This rate is available until 17 April 2020, after which it may change.
Novotel hotel offers a standard room with king bed and sofa bed (single or double occupancy) for $165 or a standard room with two double beds for $175. You can reserve by phone at 1 866 861-6470 and must mention Uncommon Senses III to receive the special rate. There is no breakfast included, and there is a nonrefundable one night deposit required upon reservation. the deadline for this offer is Wednesday, 1 April 2020
Note that Concordia University is situated in downtown Montreal, and there are likely many other hotels (as well as options like Air B&B) available, should you wish to find your own accomodation.
DAY 1: FRIDAY 1 MAY
Session 1.1 (3:00-5:45 pm, Friday 1 May)
1.1. Walkabout: Tour des arts
From 3:00 pm to just before the plenary at 6:00 pm, participants may go on a tour of the artworks. There are some 16 installations and performance pieces in all (more information to follow). Some artworks will also be on show between 12:00 noon and 3:00 pm on Saturday. The artworks include:
- Sensory Entanglements: Suzanne Kite, David Garneau, r e a
- Sensation and Physical Computation: Topological Media Lab
- 21 Gun Salute by Chélanie Beaudin-Quintin, Centre for Sensory Studies, Concordia University
- Big Nada by Antoine Bellemare,
- Sonic Thresholds by Nik Forrest, Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies in Society and Culture, Concordia University
- Lesion by Darian Goldin StahlCentre for Interdisciplinary Studies in Society and Culture, Concordia University
- Hogtown Sensory Archive, Elina Lex, Cinema and Media Arts, York University
- Sound Embroideries, Hsin-I Lin, Institute of Applied Art, National Ciao-Tung University
- Prosthetic Hearing Device for Enhanced Spatial Exploration: Performing with BICHO byEduardo Pérez Infante, PULSE, Concordia University
Session 1.2 (6:00-8:00 pm, Friday 1 May)
1.2. Plenary. A Touchy Feely Manifesto: Design for the Senses.
Plenary address presented by Ellen Lupton, Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum.
Session 1.3 (8:00-10:00 pm, Friday 1 May)
1.3. Reception: A Feast for the Senses.
A smorgasbord of vegan and vegetarian fare. You can view the menu here [link to follow]. Complimentary wine and other beverages. Live music
DAY 2: SATURDAY 2 MAY
Session 2.1(9:30-11:00 am, Saturday 2 May)
2.1.1. Panel. Law and the Senses I: Altered Sensations and Law’s Failure to Make Sense
Panel organized by Sheryl Hamilton, Law and Legal Studies, Carleton University
- Digital (legal) performance, haptic potentiality and the kinesphere. Sean Mulcahy
- Charlene Elliott, Altered Senses: On edibles, meaning and the sense of risk. Charlene Elliott, Communication and Culture, University of Calgary
- “I just knew what was going to happen next”: Conjuring a Sense of Safety and Feeding a Sense of Danger in Interpersonal Relationships. Dawn Moore, Sociology and Anthropology, Carleton University
2.1.2. Papers. Sense-based Methods I:
- How to Sense the Desert? Accidental Audio Cartography. Samuel Thulin, Concordia University.
- Dowsing: Techniques for Sensing the Unseen. Harlan Morehouse, Geography, University of Vermont.
- From Scopophilia to Topophilia: Emplacement through Virtual Reality. Natalie Doonan, Communication, Université de Montréal.
2.1.3. Papers. Multi- and Intersensory Aesthetics I:
- Latin American late avant garde movements and the critique of the colonialist modern sensorium. Cristóbal Fabrizzio Barria Bignotti, Facoltà di lettere e filosofia, Sapienza University of Rome.
- Embodiment as strategy of fieldwork in Brazil. Towards a methodology based on lived phenomenology as a form of reflexive practice. Isabelle Choinière, Département de littérature, théâtre et cinema, Université Laval, membre du groupe de recherche CRIV.
- Impulse vs. Intention: the ideology of images and embodied knowledge of the ineffable. Julia Male, Interdisciplinary Studies, York University
2.1.4. Screening. Sensing Bodies:
- Senseless: the impossibility of human intelligence without human biology. Sheila Hayman, Media Lab, MIT.
- Fina Miralles (1950, Catalonia): Embodied Stories. Celia Vara, Feminist Media Studio, Concordia University.
- Shadows between Worlds. Claire Vionnet, The SenseLab, Concordia University.
2.1.5. Workshop. Haptique / Haptic Café
Workshop directed by Florence Figols, Concordia University in association with Mélissa Raymond.
Session 2.2 (11:30-1:00 pm, Saturday 2 May)
2.2.1. Panel. Law and the Senses II: Sensory Amplification, Technologies and Systems of Knowledge
Panel organized by Sheryl Hamilton, Law and Legal Studies, Carleton University
- Punishing Frequencies: Law, Sonic Warfare, and the Weaponization of Sound. Michael Mopas, Sociology and Anthropology, Carleton University
- Governing the “drone stare”: Biogovernance, automation and nonhuman sensing. John Shiga, Professional Communication, Ryerson University
- On Not Seeing Civilians. Christiane Wilke, Law and Legal Studies, Carleton University
2.2.2. Papers. Sensory Design I:
- Technomediation: The rise of a smart hearing future. Beate Ochsner, Media Studies, University of Konstanz
- Sensational Interactions with ‘Sociable Robots’. Mark Paterson, Sociology, University of Pittsburgh
- Remote Sensing: Touch at a Distance. Lara Farina, English, West Virginia University.
2.2.3. Papers. Multi- and Intersensory Aesthetics II:
- Temporal modulation and the ecstasy of light. Alexandre Saunier, Concordia University.
- Texturologie Vibratoire: a transposition of sensoriality through action cams. Maxime Boutin, Ph.D. in arts studies and practices at UQÀM.
- (TBD)
2.2.4. Papers. Sensing Politics I:
- Our Expanding Sensorium. Richard Newhauser, English, Arizona State University
- From Vibration to Shock: Internalizing Productivity through Haptic Feedback. Jessica Chapman, Law and Legal Studies, Carleton University
- Communication Studies, Concordia University, How can we make sense of a future with microbial life without assuming cooperation? Maya Hey, Communication Studies, Concordia University
2.2.5. Workshop.The smells of the past in the future: thoughts and practices around olfactory documentation.
Workshop directed by Kate McLean, School of Creative Arts and Industries, Canterbury Christ Church University.
Session 2.3 (2:00-3:30 pm, Saturday 2 May)
2.3.1. Panel. Law and the Senses III: Rule(s) of Touch, Skins, and Somatic Regulation
Panel organized by Sheryl Hamilton, Law and Legal Studies, Carleton University
- The Rule of Touch: Regulating the Unregulatable Urge to Pimple Pop. Marc Lafrance, Sociology and Anthropology, Concordia University
- Dirty Hands and Vulnerable Faces: Self-Touch, Disease and Proprioceptic Regulation. Sheryl Hamilton, Law and Legal Studies, Carleton University
- Discussant: TBA
2.3.2. Papers. Sensory Design II:
- Hidden Geographies: Designing for Neurodivergent Ways of Hearing and Sensing. Danielle Toronyi, OLIN.
- Sonic E-Mobility: Blindness and Mobility-Technology-Assemblages. Robert Stock, Media Studies, University of Konstanz.
- Cyborg Encounters: The Abilizing Capabilities of Embodying Disabling Avatars. Serena Desaulniers, Art History, Concordia.
2.3.3. Papers. Sensory Alterity I:
- Rethinking Clinical Practice for Adults with Schizophrenia: A Sensorial Approach. Ben Lee, Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
- On Touching: Intersubjectivity and Embodiment in the Art and Life of Judith Scott. Madelaine Caritas Longman, Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies in Society and Culture, Concordia University.
- Gender fluidity as affordance negotiation. Mahault Albarracin, Philosophy, Université du Québec à Montréal
2.3.4. Open Atelier (working title). Topological Media Lab
Showcasing the artwork and methodology of the Topological Media Lab, Concordia University. Details TBD
Session 2.4 (4:00-5:30 pm, Saturday 2 May)
2.4.1. Panel. Simulating Anaesthesia. Exploring the law in-between sensing and un-sensing.
Panel organized byAndrea Pavoni DINAMIA’CET – Centre for Socioeconomic and Territorial Studies, ISCTE, University Institute of Lisbon; Danilo Mandic, University of Westminster; Caterina Nirta, University of Roehampton.
- Narrative as Anaesthetic. Stacy Douglas,, Carleton University.
- Desensitising techno heritage. Merima Bruncevic, University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
- Law and the Senses: Un-sensing. Danilo Mandic, University of Westminster.
2.4.2. Papers. Sense-based Methods II:
- Towards an ethnography of handling: the case of weapons in shooting sports in Switzerland. Solène Froidevaux, University of Lausanne.
- Still moving: an auto-ethnographic account of studio cycling. Nina Morris, Institute of Geography, University of Edinburgh.
- Reflexive Inquiry of Sensory Methods: Bodily Experiences of a Sexuality Workshop. Kaye Hare, Language and Literacy Education, University of British Columbia.
2.4.3. Papers. Sentient Ecologies I:
- To the Plant Itself: Cognitive Enaction and Critical Plant Studies. J. A. Dowdall, Communication and Media, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
- Sound and Sense in Environmental Monitoring Practices: Or, How to Unlisten an Autonomous Recording Unit. Mickey Vallee, Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies, Athabasca University.
- Developing New Habits of Care in Sentient Environments. Desirée Foerster, University of Chicago.
2.4.4. Papers. Sensory Politics II:
- Racial Atmospherics and Olfactory Aesthetics. Husan Hsu, English, Concordia University.
- Race, Embodiment, and the Senses. Sachi Sekimoto, Department of Communication Studies, Minnesota State University, Mankato.
- Making Algorithms Visceral for Justice. Luke Stark, Microsoft Research.
2.4.5. Screening. Sensing Atmospheres:
- Athabasca. Philippe Léonard, Independent media artist
- Reflection. Gabriel Peña, Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies in Society and Culture, Concordia University.
- (TBD)
2.4.6. Workshop. Sensing Digital Bodies
Workshop directed by Marianne Clark, Vitalities Lab, Centre for Social Research in Health and Social Policy, University of New South Wales
DAY 3: SUNDAY 3 MAY
Session 3.1 (9:30-11:00 am, Sunday 3 May)
3.1.1. Panel. Sensing the Beyond: Channelling, Spirit Presences, and Technologies of Occult Visualization
Panel organized by Jeremy Stolow, Communication Studies, Concordia University.
- Rendering Absence: Spirit photography, digital composites and other techniques of joint portraiture. Felicity Tsering Chödron Hamer, Communication Studies, Concordia University
- Between inner and other worlds. Katherine Kline, Communication Studies, Concordia University
- On Phantom Leaves and Phantom Limbs. Jeremy Stolow, Communication Studies, Concordia University
3.1.2. Panel. Performative Approaches to Smartness.
Panel organized by Allison Peacock, Performative Urbanism Research Coordinator, Concordia University.
- Who is the smart city for? Shauna Janssen, Performative Urbanism Research Chair, Concordia University.
- Sm’Arting the City: Embodied and Sensorial Reimaginings of Smartness. Katrina Jurjans, Design and Computation Arts and Christian Scott, Individualized Program, Concordia University.
- The Performativity of Smartness. Allison Peacock, Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies in Society and Culture, Concordia University.
3.1.3. Papers. Sentient Ecologies II:
- Less. Jennifer Biddle, National Institute for Experimental Arts (NIEA), University of New South Wales.
- Figuring, Sensation: Sensitives and Toxic Frontiers. Megan Jeanne Gette, Anthropology, University of Texas at Austin.
- Sensescapes in the Pursuit of Sustainability: Multisensory Learning in Agroecology, Slow Food, and the Global Ecovillage Network. William LaFleur, Political, Societal and Regional Changes, University of Helsinki.
3.1.4. Papers. Sensory Politics III:
- The Green Sense Reactivated. Priscilla Agliardi, Architect
- Belly Politics: Feminist Food Activism. Jennifer O’Connor, School of Policy Studies, Queen’s University.
- Yesterdayness: Capitalism, Ethnocide and the Sensory Structures of Accumulation. Rebecca van der Post, Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies in Society and Culture, Concordia University.
3.1.5. Workshop. Radio Ears: Electromagnetic Listening.
Workshop directed by Joseph Thibodeau, Centre for Sensory Studies / Milieux, Topological Media Lab, Concordia University
Session 3.2 (11:30-1:00 pm, Sunday 3 May)
3.2.1. Panel. Writing Ethno-poetics and Wild Sensoriums.
Panel organized by Luke James Leo Kernan, University of Victoria.
- Ghosting Our Steps—Toward a Hauntological Poetics of Other-WISE-ness. Luke James Leo Kernan, University of Victoria.
- Imaginative Compositions on Opacity. Alexandra D. Sastrawati, Princeton University.
- (Be)Witching Autoethnography: The Poetics of Becoming-With in Contemporary Magic. Sabrina Scott, York University.
3.2.2. Roundtable. Dialogic Roundtable: Multisensory Contemporary Art Practices in Montreal and Vancouver.
Panel organized by Joni Low, Richmond Art Gallery
- Joni Low, Independent curator (in residence at Richmond Art Gallery)
- Aseman Sabet, Independent curator and lecturer, Université du Québec à Montréal
- Deborah Edmeades, Independent artist
- Sandra Volny, independent artist.
3.2.3. Papers. Sentient Ecologies III:
- Profanating Gastro-Normativity: exploring the nonhuman materiality of making and tasting wine in the context of the Natural Wine Movement. Andrea Pavoni, DINAMIA’CET – Centre for Socioeconomic and Territorial Studies, ISCTE University Institute of Lisbon.
- mind.heart.mouth. Collective Gardening, Design, and Community Care. Andrea Tremblay, Media Studies, Concordia University.
- (TBD)
3.2.4. Papers. Sense-based Methods III:
- Feeling fake news: a sense-based approach to provocative digital encounters. Clare Southerton,Centre for Social Research in Health, University of New South Wales, and Marianne Clark, Vitalities Lab, Centre for Social Research in Health and Social Policy, University of New South Wales.
- Sensory ethnography meets digital humanities: using digital resources to gather, analyse and present multisensory experiences of place. Jenni Lauwrens, school of the Arts, University of Pretoria.
- Citizens’ Archive: Audiovisual Noise and Multimediated Hearing. Jennifer Hsieh, Anthropology, University of Michigan.
3.2.5. Papers. Multisensory Education:
- I Feel Your Pain: Teaching Artists’ Books to Medical Students. Darian Goldin Stahl, Concordia University.
- Touching Compassion, Feeling Sensations: Simulation, Stimulation, & Practices. Mark Lipton, School of English and Theatre/Media Studies, University of Guelph.
- Hearing and Seeing Data in Sensory Ethnography around Water Politics. Fiona P. McDonald, Community, Culture, and Global Studies, University of British Columbia at Okanagon
3.2.6. Workshop. Aesthetics of Touch: Performance Practices and New Media Design.
Workshop directed by Jessica Rajko, Theatre and Dance, Wayne State University.
Session 3.3 (2:00-3:30 pm, Sunday 3 May)
3.3.1. Panel. Sensory Politics of Aural Platforms.
Panel organized by Simogne Hudson, University of Southern California.
- “Feel More of Whatever You’re Feeling”: From Big Mood to Big Data. Simogne Hudson, University of Southern California.
- Sensory Appropriation in Music-Mediated Dating: Between Obfuscation and Dataveillance. Edward B. Kang, University of Southern California.
3.3.2. Roundtable. Creating Uncommon Sensations: Adventures in Haptic Design.
Panel organized by David Parisi, Communication, College of Charleston.
- Dave Birnbaum, Immersion Corporation
- David Parisi, Communication, College of Charleston
- Mark Paterson, Sociology, University of Pittsburgh
- Jessica Rajko, Wayne State University
- Lauren Hayes, Arizona State University
3.3.3. Papers. Sensory Design III:
- Engaging the Senses through Design: The Sense-It! Kit. Lois Frankel, School of Industrial Design, Carleton University.
- Sound Cultures of Critical Care. Elif Özcan, Critical Alarms Lab, Delft University of Technology.
- In the Light of Skin. Stine Louring Nielsen, Aalborg University, Copenhagen.
3.3.4. Papers. Chemical Sensing:
- Mechanics of flavor: Texturometry, objectivity and standardization in the twentieth century. Ingemar Pettersson, Economics, Uppsala University.
- The taste of water: A history of experimental systems in sensory science. Daniel Normark, Economics, Uppsala University.
- The smells of the past in the future: A framework to protect olfactory heritage. Cecilia Bembibre, University of London.
3.3.5. Workshop. Sense Walks, Sense Maps and Mobile Photography in Place-Based Education.
Workshop directed by Ehsan Akhbari, Individualized Program, Concordia University.
Session 3.4 (4:00-5:30 pm, Sunday 3 May)
3.4.1 Roundtable. Multisensory Education Roundtable
Panel organized by Carolina Cambre, Education, Concordia University.
- Carolina Cambre, Concordia University
- Stine Louring Nielsen, Aalborg University
- Fiona McDonald, UBC at Okanagon
- Toby Chanter, University of Plymouth
3.4.2. Papers. Sensory Politics IV:
- Ghosts taking form: Notes towards an atmospheric understanding of state sponsored terror. Florencia Marchetti, Humanities PhD Program, CISSC, Concordia University.
- Researching the state’s sensual processes: Methodological concerns from organizational theory in socio-legal context. Monica Lemke, Socio-legal Studies, York University.
- Embodying Entanglement. Vanessa Godden, Faculty of Fine Arts and Music, Victorian College of the Arts.
3.4.3. Papers. Urban Sensorium:
- Experiencing the urban space through art projects of collective walks. Ekaterina Shamova, LACTH Laboratory, School for Architecture and Landscape Architecture (Lille, France).
- Sensing with the Underground. David Madden, Communication Division, Pepperdine University.
- Handmade film animation: a haptic way of seeing the city. Aristofanis Soulikias, Individualized Program, Concordia University.
3.4.4. Workshop. Contextual Smell Mapping: A Tool for Sensory Design Research.
Workshop directed by Lois Frankel, School of Industrial Design, Carleton University.
