LAB: Utopian and Dystopian Futures of Water Worlds – Mediterranean Crises and the Making of Liminal Infrastructures
Abstract
The Lab proposed by the Mediterranean DGSKA regional research group addresses the multitude of contemporary and historical crises across the Mediterranean and asks to what extent they are resources to envision utopian and dystopian futures. For generations of scholars, the Mediterranean has been a contested and productive anthropological laboratory and the subject of recurring attempts of remapping and rethinking.
In accordance with these recent attempts and in line with the conference’s main theme, the proposed Lab focuses on the chronic instability and volatility of the Mediterranean as a water world that connects and disconnects, inspires and frightens its human and non-human dwellers alike. Our main topic, therefore, are so-called ‘liminal infrastructures’ in the making. On the one hand, we conceptualize them as material and ecological realities, on the other hand, as artistic, scientific and political imaginaries that possess bridging and disjoining as well as stabilizing and undermining potentialities. Adopting a world ecological perspective and drawing on a hydrosocial methodology, the LAB explores haunted land- and waterscapes to account for the imbrication of natural and social crises and human responsibilities.
Etymologically, a laboratory is a workplace, and it is associated with experimenting, searching, and being responsive to unexpected phenomena. These processual qualities correspond with the fluidity of the Mediterranean Water Worlds. In addition, the open format of the LAB lends itself exceptionally well to address utopian and dystopian futures of the Mediterranean from multiple perspectives.
We invite anthropologists and academics, artists and activists, who engage in provocative ways with the outlined issues. Besides ‘conventional’ paper presentations we welcome experimental modes of audio-visual presentations (screenings, photographic narrations, sounds), creative writing, interventions, and other forms of engaged explorations.
In accordance with these recent attempts and in line with the conference’s main theme, the proposed Lab focuses on the chronic instability and volatility of the Mediterranean as a water world that connects and disconnects, inspires and frightens its human and non-human dwellers alike. Our main topic, therefore, are so-called ‘liminal infrastructures’ in the making. On the one hand, we conceptualize them as material and ecological realities, on the other hand, as artistic, scientific and political imaginaries that possess bridging and disjoining as well as stabilizing and undermining potentialities. Adopting a world ecological perspective and drawing on a hydrosocial methodology, the LAB explores haunted land- and waterscapes to account for the imbrication of natural and social crises and human responsibilities.
Etymologically, a laboratory is a workplace, and it is associated with experimenting, searching, and being responsive to unexpected phenomena. These processual qualities correspond with the fluidity of the Mediterranean Water Worlds. In addition, the open format of the LAB lends itself exceptionally well to address utopian and dystopian futures of the Mediterranean from multiple perspectives.
We invite anthropologists and academics, artists and activists, who engage in provocative ways with the outlined issues. Besides ‘conventional’ paper presentations we welcome experimental modes of audio-visual presentations (screenings, photographic narrations, sounds), creative writing, interventions, and other forms of engaged explorations.
Date Issued
2021-09-28
Publication Type
Conference Item
Language(s)
en
Author(s)
Additional Credits
Access(Rights)
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