International Association for Philosophy and Literature
The International Association for Philosophy and Literature (IAPL), founded in 1976, brings together thinkers and scholars working in a wide range of disciplines concerned with the study of philosophical, historical, critical, and theoretical issues. The IAPL is dedicated to the exchange of ideas and to the enhancement of scholarly research in the arts and the humanities. The IAPL provides an opportunity to engage in discussion at the intersections of philosophical, literary, cultural, textual, visual, medial, art, and aesthetic theories. With its focus on interdisciplinary topics and commitments, the IAPL has played a role in the articulation of vital and exciting recent developments in philosophy, literature, and the arts.
Annual Conferences
Annual IAPL conferences provide opportunities for dialogue and strategic readings, the articulation of contemporary themes and ideas, the exploration of various expressive arts, and the production of new theoretical discourses.
The 33rd annual conference on Double Edges: rhetorics-rhizomes-regions will be held at Brunel University, 1–7 June 2009.
Recent conference themes and locations include:
- (2008) Global Arts / Local Knowledge (32nd annual conference) RMIT University, La Trobe University, University of Melbourne (Australia)
- (2007) Layering: Spatial / Temporal / Textual / Visual (31st annual conference) University of Cyprus, Nicosia (Cyprus)
- (2006) Between Three: Arts - Media - Politics (30th annual conference) University of Freiburg (Germany), University of Strasbourg (France), Beyeler Foundation (Basel, Switzerland)
- (2005) Chiasmatic Encounters (29th annual conference) University of Helsinki (Finland)
Some recent keynote or plenary speakers have included: Rosi Braidotti, Jacques Derrida, Steve Dixon, Peter Eisenman, Frank Gehry, Peter Greenaway, Sneja Gunew, Steven Holl, Dominique Janicaud, Stelarc, Slavoj Žižek
Membership
Membership in the IAPL (renewable each year beginning January 1) includes access to conference programs, special discounts on conference registration fees and at conference hotels, receipt of various IAPL brochures and publications, the Bibliography of Books Published by IAPL Members (now in its sixth edition), the opportunity to submit a conference paper, and the support of an extensive range of useful information made available on the IAPL website. Membership also includes a free book from the ongoing Textures series consisting of uniquely focused volumes of essays derived from previous IAPL conferences.
Annual Book Exhibit
The IAPL organizes an annual book exhibit as an integral part of each year’s conference. Focusing on the theme of the conference, the exhibit features a wide selection of new titles offered by major university and academic presses. This display provides a unique opportunity to peruse, purchase, and order current publications at discounted conference rates.
Publications
The IAPL in concert with established publishers produces volumes resulting from its annual conferences. These books are fully edited, shaped, and recast as in-depth studies of a given topic with some of the major contributors to a particular IAPL conference. Essays are selected for their development of aspects of the volume theme and for lasting value. The Textures: Philosophy / Literature / Culture Series is edited by Hugh J. Silverman, IAPL Executive Editor. Each volume is edited typically by the conference host coordinator(s). Members can select one of the current volumes as part of their membership benefits each year.
Recent volumes include:
- Dramas of Culture. Edited by Wayne J. Froman and John Burt Foster, Jr. (Lanham, MD: Lexington Books, 2008).
- Between Philosophy and Poetry: Writing, Rhythm, History. Edited by Massimo Verdicchio and Robert Burch (London and New York: Continuum Books, 2003).
- Panorama: Philosophies of the Visible. Edited by Wilhelm S. Wurzer (London and New York: Continuum Books, 2003).
- Thresholds of Western Culture: Identity, Postcoloniality, Transnationalism. Edited by John Burt Foster, Jr. and Wayne J. Froman (London and New York: Continuum Books, 2003).
- Extreme Beauty: Aesthetics, Politics, Death. Edited by James Swearingen and Joanne Cutting-Gray (London and New York: Continuum Books, 2003).
IAPL Website
The IAPL website includes details concerning upcoming conferences, past events, submission forms, and services provided by the IAPL. All of the most current information, arrangements for lodging, travel, and related concerns in connection with IAPL conferences is posted as soon as it is available. Both past and current conference programs are also accessible from the website.
Organization
The International Association for Philosophy and Literature is organized by its Executive Director and Program Coordinator Hugh J. Silverman in concert with the other current members of the IAPL Executive Committee: Kuisma Korhonen (University of Helsinki, Maria Margaroni (University of Cyprus), and Gail Weiss (George Washington University) along with the local host coordinator(s) each year. The IAPL is based at Stony Brook University in Stony Brook, New York, USA.