Exhibitions & events

Theme: Mediation, Writing and Performance

Processes and critical analysis of the role of the ethnographer/ethnomusicologist as mediator, are an accepted part of academic practice and writing and of the creative practices of music and media-based outcomes. Although recordings have been used to make sonic and visual statements ever since they were technically possible, the majority of information about other people, places and music is now accessed via (the) media, particularly video/film. Whilst video may be used in many different ways, from a scholarly ethnographic study through the openly partisan/partial ‘edutainment' to commercial pop video and advertising, it is increasingly social networking sites that provide a platform to display a vast range of video material to friends and strangers as people share images of their lives, including their musical choices and encounters. There are few places in the world where people do not have some access to video media and the internet and perceptions of lives in other places are most often accessed through brief home videos that might be the complete antithesis of the academic approach to the medium. Video as a medium also displays the theatre and movement/dance that makes these sounds or is linked to them.

• What is current thinking about mediation through film, writing (including auto-ethnography), film-making, composing?
• How is increased access to the media changing the lives of those we study?
• Are the changes to the way we access media and pay for it, significant culturally?
• How is access to the musical/cultural lives and choices of others changing what is created in different locations around the world?
• How much has the situation changed in the 15 years since an SEM meeting in 1995 came up with the ‘Ethno-Techno-person' - fully plugged in (Lysloff & Gay: 2003:2)?
• Would we still agree with the statement, "Common sense tells us that technology, rather than being part of our lived experience, only mediates it." (Lysoff & Gay 2003:3)?
• How has Auslander's opinion that, "the general response of live performance to the oppression and economic superiority of mediatised forms has been to become as much like them as possible" been played out in music globally (Auslander 1999: 7)?
• What do we now feel about Myers' observation that the use of recording equipment designed for ‘amateur enthusiasts to make home movies' indicated falling standards linked to ‘pedestrian standards of writing' (Myers 1992: 84)?
• Are there changes in our conception of mediation and our roles and responsibilities as researchers? How do notions of copyright and permissions play out in the digital age where there is a high expectation of ‘free' downloads?

The questions posed above are not exhaustive and might be considered in many different locations and functions, for example, within academic study, pedagogic practices and structures, communities and relationships between them (including notions of charity/fundraising), rituals, recreation.

References:

Auslander, P (1999). Liveness: performance in a mediatized culture. New York, Routledge
Lysloff, René T. A. and Leslie C. Gay Jr (eds.) (2003). Music and Technoculture. Middletown, Wesleyan University Press.
Myers, Helen (ed.) (1992). Ethnomusicology: An Introduction. New York, W. W. Norton

Proposals are invited for:

• Papers (20 mins + 5-10 mins for questions)
• Organised sessions (3 or 4 linked papers around a theme, 1½ or 2 hours)
• Round table discussion sessions (discussion topic, 3-4 shorter presentations not exceeding 15 mins each, chaired discussion, total 1½-2 hours)
• Poster/digital display material.

Proposals should follow the following format to enable them to be reviewed anonymously:

Paper proposals:

Name of proposer, email address, Paper title, Abstract - not exceeding 300 words. The name of the presenter should not appear in the abstract.
Organised Session proposals: Name of proposer, names of other contributors, email address of proposer and other participants, overall abstract for session, abstract for each contributor. Abstracts should not include the names of any of the contributors.

Roundtable proposals:

Name of proposer - assumed to be the chair unless stated otherwise, names of other contributors, email address of proposer and other participants, overall abstract for roundtable, abstract for each contributor. Abstracts should not include the names of any of the contributors.

Poster/Digital display:

We hope to be able to support a number of digital displays of work in the same area as the book displays/refreshments, enabling work in progress to be shared using video/image as well as other media. A brief description of the material and technical requirements should be submitted for this.

Proposals should be submitted by email to trevor.wiggins@falmouth.ac.uk by 5 October 2010.

The BFE is making up to 8 bursaries available to students. These will be to the value of £105 each and cover the conference fee and all food and refreshment during the conference, leaving the student responsible only for their accommodation and travel arrangements. Please indicate on your proposal if you wish to be considered for a bursary, where you are registered as a student, and any particular circumstances you think are relevant to your application. Students awarded a bursary will be expected to be present for the whole conference.

You will be notified if your proposal has been accepted by 15 November 2010. Please note that all presenters must be members of the BFE. Because this area of Cornwall is popular for holidays, it is recommended that you make a booking for your accommodation as early as possible.

Accommodation

Delegates arrange their own accommodation for this conference. Information about B&B and hotels in Falmouth and Penryn can be found on the Tremough Campus Services website .

Alternatively, local and area hotels and B&Bs are marked on the map below:

View Hotels and B&Bs in Falmouth and Penryn in a larger map

Travelling to Tremough Campus

By Road

Cornwall is the most south-westerly county in Great Britain. It is approximately 450km (5.5 hours) by road from London. Driving directions can be obtained from Google maps, the RAC or the AA.

By Train

First Great Western operate high speed services from London Paddington to Truro, including overnight sleeper services. First Great Western also operate services on Cornwall's branch lines. The branch line between Truro and Falmouth is called the Maritime Line. The closest station to UCF is Falmouth Town.

Cross Country Trains operate some services into Cornwall from the Midlands, the North and Scotland.

National Rail Enquiries or The Trainline provide a one-stop shop for train times and fare information.

The First Group co-ordinate rail and bus services from stations.

By Coach

National Express serves Cornwall from destinations throughout the UK.

By Air

The closest airport to Falmouth is Newquay Cornwall Airport situated about 45 minutes away by car. Click here for a route map

Air South West fly to Newquay from London City Airport and London Gatwick and Ryanair fly to Newquay from London Stansted and a number of European cities.

Please note: An airport development fee of £5 per departing passenger was introduced in October 2005 to help secure the future of Newquay Cornwall Airport. The Airport Development Fee will be collected at the airport.

Regular buses operate from the airport into Newquay town bus station. Western Greyhound and First Western operate bus routes from Newquay around Cornwall. Check www.traveline.org.uk for times and routes.

Please note: There is only 1 bus a day travelling from the airport direct to Falmouth. Do also be sure to double check the bus timetable no more than two weeks in advance of travel as these times are subject to change.

Car hire is available at the airport through Europcar and Hertz

Addition air travel information:

• Air connections: London Gatwick Airport
• Air connections: London Heathrow Airport
• Air connections: London Luton & Stansted Airports
• Newquay Airport (Cornwall)

Taxi cabs

Newquay area/Newquay airport transfers:

Biotravel Taxis & Minibuses

Falmouth/Penryn area:

(Particularly for delegates arriving at any of the Maritime branch line stations)

Donald's Cars

Telephone: 01326 313123

Donald's Cars have also agreed a one-way rate of £60 for transfers between Newquay airport and Tremough/Falmouth for delegates.

Truro area:

(Particularly for delegates arriving at Truro station from London Paddington)

A2B Taxis

Telephone: 0800 1695473

Disclaimer: This list is provided for information only. UCF has not always used these services, nor are they recommended. This information is provided in good faith and UCF has no liability with regard to any defects or accuracy or misinformation provided by the Agents.