Olomouc, Palacký University, Olomouc, Czech Republic – July 22-28, 2024
Current PROGRAM!
VENUE:
The conference will take place at the Arts Center of Palacký University (https://uc.upol.cz/en/). The lectures will be held in Corpus Christi Chapel (https://uc.upol.cz/en/venues/corpus-christi-chapel/) and the seminars in Musicology Department (https://muzikologie.upol.cz/en/0). The address of the venue is:
Palacký University Arts Centre
Univerzitní 3
779 00 Olomouc
DESCRIPTION:
This academic retreat is for students, scholars, researchers and enthusiasts to focused on the exploration of Semiotic Resonance. This scholarly gathering is set to occur within the historic premises of Palacký University in Olomouc, which stands as Moravia’s oldest and the Czech Republic’s second-oldest university, renowned for its vibrant academic community. The retreat is dedicated to a comprehensive examination of semiotics — the study of signs and symbols in communication — and its intersection with the concept of resonance within both natural and constructed environments. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in a series of lectures, workshops and discussions led by esteemed scholars in the field, fostering an environment of intellectual growth and interdisciplinary collaboration. The theme of the retreat, Semiotic Resonance, encapsulates the exploration of how signs and symbols across various mediums generate meaning and elicit responses at the cognitive, cultural and emotional levels. The phenomenon of resonance, observed in physics as well as music, serves as a metaphorical lens through which the semiotic processes of meaning-making can be understood. This includes an examination of the ‘music of the spheres’ as discussed by Thomas A. Sebeok; the ‘functional tones’ of Jakob von Uexküll; and the application of Hartmut Rosa’s resonance theory across different human activities. A notable focus of the retreat will be the examination of the interplay between the facial and acoustic dimensions, particularly concerning the human voice. This section aims to dissect the complex semiotic relationships between facial expressions and vocal emanations, exploring how these visual and auditory signals converge to construct and convey meaning. The voice, as both a semiotic tool and a resonant phenomenon, offers a rich field for analyzing the nuances of communication, identity expression and interpersonal interaction. Through this lens, the retreat will focus on the multifaceted ways in which the human face and voice operate within the semiotic landscape, contributing to the broader discourse on signification, representation and interpretation. By investigating the nuanced relationships between resonance, sound and semiotics, this retreat aims to deepen the understanding of communicative practices, the evocative power of signs and their role in shaping human experience. It seeks to provide a platform for scholarly dialogue that challenges conventional perspectives and encourages innovative approaches to semiotic research. This academic retreat promises a stimulating program for participants interested in the theoretical and practical dimensions of semiotics. It is an invaluable opportunity for those wishing to contribute to and expand the boundaries of semiotic study, amidst the inspiring backdrop of one of the Czech Republic’s most esteemed universities.
GETTING TO OLOMOUC:
The easiest way to reach Olomouc is by train or by bus. We are located close to two major airports, Prague and Vienna, making access to the city easy from both cities. If you wish to come here through Prague, the simplest way to come to Olomouc is by taking a train from the Prague Main Station (Praha Hlavní Nádraží). From there, you can find direct trains to Olomouc from Czech National Railways (https://www.cd.cz/en/default.htm), RegioJet (https://regiojet.com/) and LeoExpress (https://www.leoexpress.com/en). The journey to Olomouc should take around 2 hours and 30 minutes.
If you choose to come from Vienna, you can take a bus directly from the airport (Wien, Flughafen Schwechat) with RegioJet and LeoExpress, but you can also take a bus from the city with FlixBus.
ACCOMMODATIONS:
A number of rooms (single and double rooms) have been reserved for the conference participants at Hotel Palác (https://www.hotelpalac.cz/). The price for a single room is 1.750 CZK (around €70) per night and 1.950 CZK (79 EUR) per night for a double room. When you make your reservation, please do not forget to mention that you are a participant in the Summer Resonance Retreat conference at Palacký University.
Click here for a quick overview of how to get to Palác from the Olomouc main train station. Please let us know if you need help with directions or if you require assistance upon your arrival.
We also recommend a more fancy hotel Arigone only two steps from the venue https://www.orea.cz/en/hotel-arigone
We also recommend a low price alternative at the Long Short Story hostel (https://www.longstoryshort.cz/about-us). Their prices depend on the kind of room you book. They have a very nice dining options with local ingredients.
Alternatively, try Ubytovna Marie (http://www.ubytovnamarie.cz/).
For students, we recommend a dorm in the city center (https://skm.upol.cz/en/accommodation/hotel-accommodation/). The rooms in the dorms can be single use or shared use (when making a reservation, specify with whom you want to share your room), and the bathroom is shared in a cell system (two rooms share one bathroom). You can also specify, upon reservation, whom you want to share the cell with. The price for a single room is CZK 590 per person per night (24 EUR), for a double room CZK 420 per person per night (17 EUR). Please note that you are asked to pay upon arrival during the check-in.
If you need help with the process of booking a room, please contact Lenka Pivoňková (lenka.pivonkova@upol.cz).
DIRECTED BY:
Remo GRAMIGNA, Massimo LEONE
Organising Committee: Ludmila BENNETT, Tyler James BENNETT, Gabriele MARINO, Eugenio Israel CHÁVEZ BARRETO
ORGANIZED BY:
The ERC FACETS – Face Aesthetics in Contemporary E-Technological Societies, in collaboration with Palacký University – International Semiotics Institute – and the University of Turin, Department of Philosophy and Communication Studies
