Thinking with John Berger

John Berger presents a uniquely diverse model of critical artistic and
intellectual work. He is, variously, artist (and a philosopher of drawing);
art critic/theorist; ‘art geographer’ (Edward Soja); novelist (although
preferring to call himself a storyteller); poet and dramatist; film-maker;
photographic collaborator; theorist of migration; political activist in the
domains of anti-capitalism and human rights.

This conference at Cardiff Metropolitan University places a focus on the
transformative potential of Berger’s work for educational practice. Berger
may be said to have kept a distance from the institutional lecture hall,
seminar room or studio; yet his work, through an interdisciplinarity
seemingly without boundaries, continues to impact upon a number of academic
fields. In dedicating himself to‘the job of thinker and artist’ (Sally
Potter), Berger seems also consistently to have orientated himself towards
the future and to practice: he is, in the words of Sukhdev Sandhu, ‘in the
best sense, a teacherly writer and performer’ -- a teacherly method
characterised, that is, by the principles of collaboration and equality.

The conference therefore takes an exploratory approach to the question of
how we might, as educators, use, discuss, learn from and continue to develop
Berger’s thought. In what ways might that thought help to transform
curricula, pedagogy, and our work as writers, artists and teachers? How
pertinent is it, for example, to the growing internationalisation of the
academy and to questions of global educational citizenship? Or how relevant
as a critical resource within the context of a new, corporate and marketised
environment in education? Might Berger’s ‘radical humanism’ (Tilda Swinton)
help to carve out alternative futures?

The conference will be held at the University’s Llandaff campus, close to
historic Llandaff village and cathedral, and a 30-minute walk through
parkland to Cardiff city centre. It is organised by Cardiff School of
Education, with the collaboration of Cardiff School of Art and Design, and
will coincide with the opening of a new centre for CSAD at the Llandaff campus.

Queries and correspondence regarding the conference should be addressed to
Professor Jeff Wallace at [email protected], or call 00 44(0)29 2041
7102.

A conference website, with information regarding fees, accommodation and
logistics, will be up and running soon. In the meantime, queries on these
issues should be addressed to Katerina Ray, Huw Jones or Donna O’Flaherty,
conference administrators, at [email protected] (tel 00 44
(0)29 2020 5754 or 00 44 (0) 29 2041 7078/6577)