We are organising a creative-critical symposium on contemporary ekphrasis at Glasgow Project Room in September. We are looking for 20-minute papers on modern ekphrasis.
Ekphrasis, the verbal representation of visual representation, is one of art’s oldest preoccupations. Over the past decade, we have seen a rise in both ekphrastic poetry and visual art that responds to poetry. Concurrently, there has been a new wave of interest in the efficacy and function of ekphrasis, that focuses on its role as a type of creative practice and a way of thinking through aesthetic judgement. Despite all this activity, no formal consideration of the field of ekphrasis itself has emerged. As such, we are holding a cross-disciplinary symposium on contemporary ekphrasis called ‘Ek’. This symposium will respond to a glaring gap in ekphrastic research, one that moves away from deconstructing its 20th century framework and focuses on articulating what a contemporary ekphrasis can be. ‘Ek’ will be both a symposium and a group art show about contemporary ekphrasis held at Glasgow Project Room.
This call for papers is only for the symposium. The symposium will be in-person.
One of the aims of this project is to bring together a wide variety of creative practitioners, we encourage applications from researchers based outside of the academy, artists, writers, academics. We also encourage critical writing within the context of contemporary ekphrasis such as poetry, ficto-criticism, performances, art criticism, descriptive and cultural commentary. Ekphrasis itself is the site of much artistic collaboration and experimentation. Over the last several years, significant public conversations in Glasgow have developed parallel to discussions of ekphrasis. Central to this project, therefore, is an effort to develop a conversation that engages in the critical gap and highlights the efforts that Glasgow has made in ascertaining a modern ekphrasis.
Your proposal can engage with the following questions: What kinds of modalities does contemporary ekphrasis operate in? What are its attributes/value? How does it function as your practice? How can it help us think through aesthetic judgement/aesthetic experience? Your paper could also be an analysis of a Scottish-based practice of ekphrasis etc.
Please send a 250-300 word abstract with a title, up to seven keywords, and a 100-word biographical note to ekeksymposium@gmail.com by the 18th of July.
If you have any questions please email ekeksymposium@gmail.com
Please note that the symposium will be held from the 12th to the 14th of September 2025.
We endeavor to respond by the end of July.
Location: Glasgow City
For further information, please contact ekeksymposium@gmail.com
The deadline is 18th of July 2025 at 14:00.