CFP: The F-word: autofiction as resistance to patriarchy

Feminism gives us a vision, a framework, and tools to upend systems. One of those systems is how we think of language and the self. Is it possible to say what is true, when stories are always already framed by the world in which they take place? What role does autofiction play in our own lives, in the process of resistance, in the call for that which remains invisible? The poetic attention inherent in autofiction, in escrevivência, that is inherent in the work, is created for and by and to address the necessity of the impossible. Autofiction as an act of God, of the transcendent that manifests itself in the real, in lived experience, and as such is aimed at resisting the patriarchy.

In this symposium we aim to bring together people with whom this theme resonates, and we ask people to share from their own life, practise, profession, in order to create an ongoing conversation as a way to build resilience. We explicitly invite people to embrace the difference they bring in to contribute towards this shared endeavour. 

Autofiction as Resistance as a method

During this week we aim to work together on exploring the themes that are central to this circle also in the way we participate. We explicitly invite people to share their insights, artistic practises and theoretic understanding in a way that invites collaborative thinking. For this reason academic presentations are not accepted, although a presentation can be a part of a larger workshop. Please indicate in your application how much time you would need for your intervention, and a brief description on how you aim to use the time allotted to your session. First-time experiments are as welcome as tested concepts. 

Participants without workshops/sharing of their own personal project/ideas are also most welcome to collaborate during the week in the interactive program. 

About Nordic Summer University (NSU):

NSU is a space for collaboration between disciplines/peoples/ideas. During the Summer Session several study circles, each hosting their own program, will come together – participants are welcome to join different circles/programmes during the week. NSU is a horizontal organisation, being present means you are a member and part of the organisation.

Costs

NSU offers a limited amount of grants and scholarships. If you are interested in receiving one (which means a reduced participation fee of 100 euro for the whole week), please let us know while applying. 

• 100 euros Scholarship (in shared 4-bed rooms with shared bathroom)

• 1250 euros Institutional price/any room type

• 900 euros Institutional price PhD/any room type

• 950 euros Single room

• 700 euros Bed in double room

• 1000 euros Double room 1 adult 1 child

• 1200 euros Family room 1 adult 2 children

• 1800 euros Family room 2 adults 2 children

• 1500 euros Family room 2 adults 1 child

• 500 euros Camping 

This includes accommodation and all meals for the full week. The price also includes NSU membership, so it is not necessary to purchase it separately. Those who have already attended a winter symposium and paid the membership will receive a discount code to deduct the membership fee. No refunds will be given if participants pay membership twice by mistake, so please mention in your application that you already attended an NSU event this year, to receive a discount code.

Deadlines

Please send us a short text explaining your aim / topic / idea, how much time you would need to host the experience, and what materials you would require (paper/paint/bicycles), which we will try to accommodate. 

Please send us your application by April 5th. Especially if you would like to be considered to receive a grant/scholarship, as decisions on grants/scholarships will be made at the end of April. Deadline to confirm and pay your spot as a grant/scholarship receiver is May 1st. 

Other applicants are accepted on a rolling basis. Final deadline to apply: May 10th. By May 15th you will need to register and pay for the accommodation.

Applications and queries can be send to: [email protected]

Please be aware that everyone involved at Nordic Summer University is collaborating on a voluntary basis.

About the Circle:

How to think/write/be/inter-act without being limited by an already outlined goal/outcome/impact? How to explore what is messy/confused/embodied while accepting that exploration is always also taking place within philosophy/genre/language/life – within what is. That is, our attempt to explore, to transcend our sites of speech happens in this world and is framed by the situatedness of our lives. Could it be otherwise? This study circle aims to take advantage of the network, space and openness provided by the Nordic Summer University to raise questions that cannot be answered/grounded/voiced, for philosophers/writers/feminists and/or/as-well-as those who are other(s/ed/ing). 

This study circle will explore the liminality of not belonging in a discipline/space/frame/ category/nation. Accepting language as the limit/tool/curse and an unavoidable starting point, building upon the work of Irigaray/Arendt/Ettinger, this state of exception of being-with/in/of language is not simple put aside, but accepted as a reality which is “disturbing, overwhelming, and sometimes too close for comfort”. 

These tensions open up a liminal space – how to think/write/be/inter-act within such a space, while being an/Other\not-I/(m)\Other within feminist philosophy? How to write/create/live as a being that is more than the categories available to mark/describe/situate them? How to explore power as a temporary space, a moment, political and liminal? How to read and ground ourselves in feminist philosophy while also living/m-othering/PhD-ing? How to even ask/write/question these questions, without falling prey to the linearity inherent in what/who/why it means to question? 

More information: https://www.nsuweb.org/study-circles/circle-4-an-other-not-i-m-other-in-feminist-philosophy/