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Spotlight on the mine
Pleins feux sur la mine
When cinema and literature take hold of the subject
Quand cinéma et littérature s’emparent du sujet
Published on Tuesday, November 08, 2022
Abstract
As part of the exhibition organised around this theme, the Centre Historique Minier has launched a call for papers for an international conference Spotlight on the mine, when cinema and literature take hold of the subject. In the contemporary era, mining has formed the subject of numerous artistic performances, particularly in the fields of writing and literature (mine novel, testimony, poetry, comic strip …), on the one hand, as well as in the world of cinema and audiovisual arts (fiction, documentary, animated film …). These representations have served as a place of artistic innovation, as well as a medium for mass culture (which developed alongside the mining industry), to such an extent that veritable sub-genres (the mine novel, the mine film) have been created, each with their own archetypes.
Announcement
Argument
In the contemporary era, mining has formed the subject of numerous artistic performances, particularly in the fields of writing and literature (mine novel, testimony, poetry, comic strip …), on the one hand, as well as in the world of cinema and audiovisual arts (fiction, documentary, animated film …). These representations have served as a place of artistic innovation, as well as a medium for mass culture (which developed alongside the mining industry), to such an extent that veritable sub-genres (the mine novel, the mine film) have been created, each with their own archetypes. A horrified fascination for underground worlds, disasters, the way in which the single set of the mine can allow us to stylise relationships of domination, and the forms of class struggle are just some possible explanations for this phenomenon.
Of course, these representations have already formed the subject various works, whether studying a particular piece or author in terms of their relationships with the mine, or developing more general or comparative studies (mining and novels, mining and cinema, etc.). This conference intends to build on this momentum, in particular by presenting current or recent work surrounding these issues. It also aims to link these analyses and studies to broader questions which currently feed into this field of research. From the point of view of cultural history and the history of the arts, the challenge is to consider not only the work or representation in a vacuum, but also the forms of its production (author, social context, publisher or producer), as well as its dissemination and reception.
The current dynamic of global history means that we must look beyond a Franco- or Western-centric perspective, questioning representations produced in other contexts (Asia, Latin America, etc.) and the circulation of these representations. Finally, the history of the 20th century raises questions regarding the chronologies that guide these representations, and in particular the differences between the representations produced during mining, and those that evoke its ending and which are intended to maintain its memory.
Proposals for papers may fall within one of the following themes, regarding literary and written artistic representations in the broad sense (mine novel, testimony, poetry, comic strip or cinema – fiction, documentary, animated film), on a national or regional scale, or even on a global scale. The topics proposed are, of course, not exhaustive and members of the steering committee will examine all proposals relating to the subject of the conference.
Suggested themes
The creation of artistic representations of the mine
- Author/Writer/Director, process
- Miners as authors
- Specific editorial/film genres ?
- Production: role of editorial or production structures, orders, role of trade unions, political parties and companies, etc.
What is the relation to realism ?
- How the producers of these representations work, what types of surveys are carried out
- Miserabilism/heroic representation
- Archetypes (accidents, class struggle, strikes and rallies against closures)
- What blind spots are there in these representations (gender relations, etc.)
- What is the purpose: social criticism, pedagogy, expression of an artistic project
Reception and social anchoring
- Best-sellers and success
- Failures and controversies around certain representations
- Transnational circulation of motifs, works or performances
- Representation and mobilisation in the context of active mining
- Representation and reception in the context of pit closures or after closures
- The designation of works to heritage
Paper proposals
Paper proposals, of approximately one page, including the titles and professions of the authors, should be sent
by 3 January 2023 to: colloque@chm-lewarde.com
The Steering Committee will make its decision in January 2023. Oral presentations, in English or French, will be limited to 30 minutes. The publication of conference proceedings in digital format will be ensured by the Centre Historique Minier.
Scientific Committee
- Virginie Malolepszy, Archives Director of the Centre Historique Minier
- Jessica Dos Santos, Associate Professor of History, commissioned by the Centre Historique Minier
- Gérard Dumont, Associate Professor of History, member of the Scientific Council of theCentre Historique Minier
- Marion Fontaine, Professor at the Sciences Po Paris History Centre
- Judith Rainhorn, Professor of Contemporary History at the Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University
In partnership with the European Network of Coal Mining Museums
Subjects
- History (Main category)
- Zones and regions > Africa
- Mind and language > Language > Literature
- Zones and regions > America
- Zones and regions > Asia
- Zones and regions > Europe
- Periods > Modern
- Mind and language > Representation
Places
- Centre Historique Minier Fosse Delloye Rue d'Erchin
Lewarde, France (59287)
Date(s)
- Tuesday, January 03, 2023
Attached files
Keywords
- mine, charbon, cinéma, littérature, représentation, réalisme
Contact(s)
- Virginie Malolepszy
courriel : vmalolepszy [at] chm-lewarde [dot] com
Information source
- Virginie Malolepszy
courriel : vmalolepszy [at] chm-lewarde [dot] com
License
This announcement is licensed under the terms of Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal.
To cite this announcement
« Spotlight on the mine », Call for papers, Calenda, Published on Tuesday, November 08, 2022, https://calenda.org/1029228
