Panel: Art, Dreams and Miracles: Reflections and Representations for the Royal Anthropological Institute Conference, 2018

Art, Dreams and Miracles: Reflections and Representations 

Convened by Nada Al-Hudaid (University of Manchester) 
Discussants: Lydia Degarrod (California College of the Arts) 
Ammara Maqsood (University of Manchester) 

Oneiric experiences among various communities are translated into reality in different ways; stories, sermons, specific actions and art (Degarrod 2017, Edgar 2016, Mittermaier 2011, Price-Williams and Gaines 1994). This conference panel will explore the area between art, miracles and dream experiences cross-culturally. Papers that explore this topic ethnographically are welcome.

Some dreams and miracles may be represented through art such as painting, poetry, song and dance. The creative process of translating dreams and miracles to various art forms can be significant and may lead to specific social encounters, controversies, or actions. Studying such encounters enables us to learn more about modes of representation and states of reality. Any type of art (visual, oral, written or performative) is welcome. Papers that include non-textual media such as video, sound recordings, photography and illustrations are highly encouraged. All types of dreams and miracles are welcome, whether religious or secular.

Papers can include (but not restricted to) any of the following themes:

- How do dreams and/or miracles get materialised?

- What role does art play in representations of dream and miraculous experiences?

- What theories are there that speak about representations of oneiric experiences?

- What are the theoretical and ethnographic challenges of researching dreams and miracles?

Proposals deadline: 8 January 2018
Title (200 characters max) 
Short abstract/summary (300 characters max) 
Long abstract (250 words max) 

More details at https://nomadit.co.uk/rai/even...