Call for Papers DEADLINE JULY Psychoanalysis on Ice Reykjavik, Iceland – 9-12 October 2014 Histories of psychoanalysis emphasize divisions, separations, excommunications and seemingly unbridgeable rifts, often as productive and generative as they have been devastating and stultifying. National, social and economic factors have sustained and hardened ideological and theoretical tensions. That historical divisions are continually transmitted makes for a markedly chilly present. “Psychoanalysis on Ice” invites conversation across these divisions, considering the situation of psychoanalysis in the 21st century, with the hope that dialogue and exchange will bring our field to life in new and yet unimagined ways. We highlight this theme in our choice of venue, Reykjavik, Iceland, where the North American and Eurasian Plates split the country, making for what the Vikings called “No Man’s Land” between them, where the world’s first parliament was convened in 930. What is “No Man’s Land” if not a metaphor for the unconscious? For that “no place” that we as psychoanalysts all recognize as active and powerful, like the volcanoes that surround the glacier-filled country. Iceland, the island in the middle, between Europe and the Americas, between glaciers and volcanoes, is the perfect venue to discuss convergence and division: subjective, institutional, theoretical, ideological and real. While “on ice” speaks to the icy rigidity and of the subsequent stagnancy of the conversation between the groups, schools and theoretical orientations, at the same time, the metaphor also speaks to the very special nature of psychoanalysis. Psychoanalysis is a treatment of and by speech, and consequently, one that strives to keep the drives in suspension, “on ice” We invite psychoanalysts of all theoretical orientations to meet in Reykjavik and discuss foundational psychoanalytic concepts as well as the challenges of psychoanalysis today. We hope to potentiate deeper engagement among psychoanalysts revisiting and revivifying these concepts and to consider together the challenges that face us all. As the days grow shorter in Iceland’s capital (we expect about 9.5-10 hour days at the time of the conference), hundreds of psychoanalysts will convene over several days in the newly opened Harpa Concert Hall and Convention Center, a glimmering icebergshaped building in the city’s harbor. The innovative format promotes dialogue and discussion, a “melting of the ice.” Each day, participants will choose from several parallel panels where significant representatives of the major psychoanalytic schools of thought will discuss foundational psychoanalytic concepts from their perspectives on day one, and psychoanalytic understandings of contemporary issues on day two. After each panel, the audience will break into smaller groups to join individual speakers for more targeted, interactive discussions. For example, a first day panel on the unconscious will break out into smaller group discussions on consciousness, intersubjectivity, and drive. Another example might be following a second day panel on Psychoanalysis and Violence, which will break out into smaller group discussions on school violence, psychosis and violence, mass violence, etc. The third major component of this conference will be clinical discussions where work will be presented in many different formats, including case formulation meetings, macro- and micro-process discussions. The overarching goal of this conference is to bring psychoanalysts of all stripes into closer contact, across theories, orientations, and national differences, or, to borrow a phrase of the local tourist bureau, to attempt to “meet in the middle.” In addition, attendees will be able to enjoy lectures from local experts on Icelandic folklore, history, and geology. Excursions will be offered to explore the countryside, from late-night voyages on the Greenland Sea to observe the Northern Lights, to hiking trips on glaciers, to guided bus tours of other parts of the country. A preconference program will offer interested participants the chance to consult in hospitals, clinics, schools, and with families throughout the country. This will present the opportunity to offer psychoanalytic insights to different sectors of Icelandic society and the opportunity to get to know Icelanders better. At this time, we invite submissions in the following categories: 1. Panels on major concepts: these submissions should include a brief description of the concept and major controversies around it, as well as a proposed list of speakers and the submitters access to these speakers. 2. Panels on contemporary issues, with similar requirements. 3. Clinical presentations and papers: ideally, these submissions will relate to the cross-theoretical ambition of the conference and may include one or more presenters. Some description of the clinical work and its conceptualization should be included. We are currently exploring simultaneous translation options and expect to have many of the panels simultaneously translated from English, French, Spanish, German, and the Scandinavian languages. We may be able to accommodate translation from other languages depending on demand and availability of translators. All submissions should be sent to the conference coordinators, Drs Michael Garfinkle & Manya Steinkoler at psychoanalysisonice@gmail. Submissions can be made in English or French and should be submitted as soon as possible and preferably before 1 July 2013.
Posted on: Sat, 06 Jul 2013 20:44:49 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015