Our aim at this conference is to explore the concept of ‘metamorphosis’ and the theories associated with it in anthropology and other disciplines such as archaeology, semiotics, cultural studies, narratology, history of arts and so on. The conference is designed to gather together both Italian and international scholars eager to engage in discussions of metamorphosis in the context of modernity.

Argument

Our aim at this conference is to explore the concept of ‘metamorphosis’ and the theories associated with it in anthropology and other disciplines such as archaeology, semiotics, cultural studies, narratology, history of arts and so on. We shall focus on investigating the meanings of metamorphosis from an inter-disciplinary perspective, comparing a number of disparate viewpoints. What fundamental meanings should we attribute today to the notion of metamorphosis? What theoretical interconnections may emerge from this concept? The conference is designed to gather together both Italian and international scholars eager to engage in discussions of metamorphosis in the context of modernity. One key question which we intend to pose to participants is: What perspectives are applied by different disciplines and scholars and which methodologies can best capture the multi-faceted nature of metamorphosis in life, culture and narrative? Throughout the conference, experts will discuss and reflect on the meanings their respective practices and theories assign to the concept of metamorphosis and its related terms – transformation, change, becoming, transition and (rites of) passage – and which theoretical tools can best comprehend those ideas and thus foster inter-disciplinary dialogue.

Modalities of participation and deadline:

Send abstracts  to Stefano Montes (stefano.montes@unipa.it) and Giancarlo Germanà (giancarlo.germana@abapa.education),

by April 20th, 2025.

Abstracts, max 300 words, include title, 3 key-words and a short biography (max 5 lines, not to be counted among the 300 words).

Applicants will be notified as soon as possible.

The conference will only take place, in-person, in Palermo, at the Institut français Palermo (via Paolo Gili 4, 90138 Palermo).

Admitted languages are English, Italian and French.

Each speech is 20 minutes.

Registration to the Conference is free of cost. Grants are not foreseen.

Travel, accommodation and food costs are to be covered by participants.

Scientific board 

• Eric Biagi, Institut français Palermo, Italy
• Massimo Canevacci, University of Roma “La Sapienza”, Italy
• Roberto Cipriani, University of Roma Tre, Italy
• Vincent Crapanzano, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, USA
• Hanna Geara, artist
• Giancarlo Germanà, Accademia di Belle Arti, Italy
• Stefano Montes, University of Palermo, Italy
• Alessandro Perissinotto, University of Torino, Italy
• Kristiina Rebane, University of Tallinn, Estonia
• Andrea Smorti, University of Florence, Italy
• Paul Stoller, Friedrich Alexander University, Erlangen/Nuremberg and University of Pennsylvania
• Ray Zammit, University of Malta, Malta

Organizing committee

• Eric Biagi
• Giancarlo Germanà
• Stefano Montes