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Conference Announcement Theme: Performance Philosophy and Sufism Type: International Symposium Institution: Centre for Performance Philosophy University of Surrey Location: Guildford (United Kingdom) Date: 6.–7.10.2017 __________________________________________________ A two-day symposium on relationships between contemporary performance philosophy and Sufism. This event is the first in a 3 part series looking at interconnected yet distinct notions of spirituality, spirit, the spiritual, and spiritualism, from a pluralist perspective – drawing together forms of thought and ways of knowing from a selection of global philosophical and performative practices. ‘Performance Philosophy and Sufism’ will explore the relationships between performance, philosophy and the spiritual within concepts and practices of Sufism, the traditional alongside the contemporary. Sufism is broadly known as the mystical or interior dimension of Islam, and is argued by many to be the very heart of original Islam. Its practices (dhikr, prayer, fasting, study, music and whirling among others) centre on purification of the individual by way of preparation for divine union. In relation to performance philosophy, such practices can be viewed as actions which philosophise universal (spiritual and nonspiritual, timeless) truths. The methodologies, or spiritual technologies, that open these truths within the student or devotee are living, breathing philosophies. This event focuses on the actioned practices of Sufism. Differentiating the process from an embodiment of abstract notions via practice, the philosophies themselves are manifested/realised/perceptibly known in multi-layered and nuanced individual forms. With contributions from international experts, the event will include: a screening of the film, ‘The Woman Who Whirls’ (2017) - an ethno-poetics of contemporary whirling practice – produced by Hannah McClure (Surrey) and directed by Ella Wood; a participatory whirling workshop led by Azize Guvenc, Hande and Emre Basaran and Faridah Busemann (Tumata); as well as discussions on intercultural philosophy and practice by Cosimo Zene (SOAS) and Dunja Njaradi (Lancaster), and a presentation focused on ‘Say I am You Mevlana’ (2012) – a full length opera for an intercultural musical ensemble and orchestra by its composer, Michael Ellison (Bristol). The event will close with a celebration of the launch of ‘Global Journeys of Sufi Whirling, Sufism and Arts Practice’ a special issue of the journal Dance, Movement, Spiritualities (Intellect), co-edited by Hannah McClure and Dunja Njaradi. Program Day 1 10 - 10:30 Registrations and Welcome 10:30 - 12 Presentations by International Delegates - Hala Gohname (University of Marburg/Germany), Serap Erincin (NYU/USA) and Sinead O’Conner (Open University/Ireland) 12 - 1 Lunch 1 - 5 Participatory talk and whirling workshop w/ guest presenters Azize Guvenc, Hande and Emre Basaran and Faridah Busemann (Tumata/Turkey). Day 2 9 - 9:15 Introductions by Laura Cull Ó Maoilearca for the CPP 9:15-10:30 Keynote Address and Screening of ‘The Woman Who Whirls’ (2017) and conversation - with Hannah McClure and Professor Cosimo Zene 10:30 – 11 Tea 11- 11:30 Presentations by UK Delegates - Mark Hamilton (Regents University/London) and Bridget Fisk & Sarah Sayeed (Independent Artists/Manchester) 11:30 - 12:30 Introduction of Special Issue and Presentation of opera, ‘Say I am You Mevlana’ (2012) excerpt - w/ guest presenters, Dunja Njaradi and Michael Ellison 12:30 - 1:45 Lunch 1:45-2:30 Circular Panel with all contributors 2:30-3:30 Launch of ‘Global Journeys of Sufi Whirling, Sufism and Arts Practice’ a special issue of the journal Dance, Movement, Spiritualities Contributors Dr. Dunja Njaradi is an associate editor of Dance, Movement, Spiritualities. She completed her doctorate on somatic movement and choreography in the department of Theatre Studies at Lancaster University. Publications include several articles and edited volumes on spirituality, somatics and ethnography. Dunja currently teaches at The University of Belgrade in the department of Ethnomusicology and is actively researching and teaching on topics of agency, histories and personal spiritualities. Dr. Michael Ellison grew up in Istanbul as the son of American ex-pats and later completed his music education at Tufts (MA) and his doctorate at The University of California Santa Barbara. Currently affiliated with The University of Bristol, Michael researches the music of Turkey and Anatolia, collisions and intersections of culture and contemporary opera. An active artist and composer, Michael is an ongoing co-director the Hezarfen Ensemble in Istanbul. Recent works include ‘The Sea Crossed Fisherman’ (2016), and ‘Say I am You Mevlana’ (2012) both full length operas for intercultural musical ensembles and orchestra. The late Dr. Rahmi Oruc Guvenc is a sufi master, a music therapist, an ethnomusicologist, a composer and a poet.He studied philosophy at the Faculty of Literature, Istanbul University. At the Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul he completed his doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology, focusing traditional music therapy. Oruc Guvenc founded the ‘Centre for Research and Application of Turkish Music’ at Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine. Later, he was appointed lecturer at the ‘Unit for the Research and Promotion of Turkish Music’ at the Turkic Research Institute of Marmara University. Earlier, in 1975, Oruc Guvenc had founded TUMATA (Group for the Research and Promotion of Turkish Music) and began researching the origins and healing properties of Central Asian music. He will be represented by Azize Andrea Guvenc, an ergotherapist, musician and his closest collaboratress as well as some of his closest students, Emre Basaran and Faridah Busemann. Professor Cosimo Zene is a specialist in Religion and Philosophy at The School Of African and Oriental Studies, London. With a particular emphasis on religions as lived philosophies and the need for dialogue between philosophies, Professor Zene opens a space for intersections and conversation - ultimately toward the goal of harmony and peace. His expertise in the parallel, conflicting and complementary structures of thought and practice in Bangladesh, India and South Asia bridge now outdated East-West and North-South divides. As former head of his department he has created the new BA program in World Philosophies, emphasising plurality and dialogue and leading the way in new thinking. ‘The Woman Who Whirls’ (2017) is an ethno-poetics of contemporary whirling practice. It speaks from and to the nature of whirling through visual and spoken non-linear narrative. Broadly experimental in its visual style, the film invites the observer into the inner world of the dervish through its cinematography and editing choices. Issues of tradition and agency, methodologies of practice, and contemporary spirituality are considered. The film was screened with live performance at Liverpool Hope University in April of this year and will be formally premiered on the festival circuit 2018. It runs 11 minutes 34 seconds. Produced and performed by Dr. Hannah McClure, Director Ella Wood. Registration Fee: £26 - includes lunches, tea/coffee and drinks reception. Register: https://www.surrey.ac.uk/arts/dance/20171006-performance-philosophy-and-sufism-symposium-1 You are welcome to come for one or both days as your schedule allows. Website of Performance Philosophy: http://performancephilosophy.ning.com __________________________________________________ InterPhil List Administration: https://interphil.polylog.org InterPhil List Archive: https://www.mail-archive.com/interphil@list.polylog.org/ __________________________________________________
