Call for papers
Anthropology of Music, Popular Music Scenes, Performance Practices and Challenges of the Present
IUAES Intercongress
Japan
15-18 May 2014
International Union of Anthropological and Ethnological Sciences
This is an invitation to attend the panel on anthropology of music at the forthcoming IUAES Intercongress in Japan 15-18 May 2014. A very broad title of the panel is aimed to bring together anthropologists who would find interest in establishing the commission for anthropology of music and related performative practices in the frame of the International Union of Anthropological and Ethnological Sciences.
Music plays an important role in human life. Anthropologists should consider it seriously, as an important part of everyday life. Whenever and wherever we do fieldwork, we are facing various kinds of music used, played or reflected. Socially speaking, modern popular music is perhaps the most widespread and at the same time manipulative means of expression shared (or confronted) both globally and locally. Its intangible mediated presence only accelerates its social, i.e. experiential importance for social groups and individuals.
Despite the fact that whole disciplines study music and phenomena related to music, we need more anthropological studies of music, performance and dance. These are important aspects of human life and humanity in general, stemmed from individual and small groups’ experience and activities. Music production, reproduction, use, experience and exchange is related to the use of modern communication technologies, market and commerce, but at the same time music scenes create their own networks of creativity (DIY practices), exchange, distribution, and use. Music is especially important in identification and differentiation processes, especially for the youth. It may be used for social mobilization and protest, as well as in nationalist or separatist movements; it may be even used as a means of oppression and violence. It is related to issues of place and space, organization of urban and rural life…
The panel is aimed for scholars who will find interest in the eventual establishment of the new IUAES commission on music, performance, dance and new media.
The deadline for paper proposals is 9 January 2014.