David Jones: Dialogues with the Past
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    ​David Jones: Dialogues with the Past

​David Jones: Dialogues With the Past

An International, Interdisciplinary Conference at the University of York, U.K.
21-23 July, 2016
Picture
David Jones, "Mother of the West" (1942). Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle upon Tyne. Courtesy of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums


        In 'Past and Present' (1953), David Jones claimed:  'The entire past is at the poet's disposal'. The interweaving of this 'entire past' with the present moment fundamentally characterises Jones's art and thought, from his visual reimagining of historical figures, to the etymologically rich allusions of his poetry, to the unusual philosophy of history manifested in his essays and letters. The analysis of Jones's visual or poetic works often reflects the act of excavation: the unique layering of images, words and ideas, the resonant symbolism and shades of meaning, the blending of cultural traditions and dynamic interweaving of whole civilisations.

          As 2016 marks the centenary of the Battle of the Somme, which profoundly shaped Jones's imagination and thought, it provides an ideal moment for this conference to reconsider the entirety of Jones's engagement with the many, various, elusive and intertwined 'pasts' through which he conceived history and culture. It will be an opportunity to explore Jones's own style, subject matter, allusive practice and intellectual questions including the role of 'memory', 'inheritance' and 'history' in art and life, while also reflecting upon Jones's own past and contemporary moment. 

​
Keynote Speakers:

Tom Dilworth (English) - 'David Jones, The Great War and In Parenthesis.'
Paul Hills (History of Art) - '"The Good Bodily Image": David Jones's Historical Imagination
Adam Schwartz (History) - '"Getting Into History": The Great War and David Jones's Memory'

In addition the Conference Dinner, Poetry Recitals, Wine Reception and two Art Exhibitions,
the Events Schedule includes:

Thursday 21st: 'An Artist's Retrospect': Selected Screenings of Lost Jones Interviews and Programmes.
​
with Anne Price-Owen

Friday 22nd: OPUS ANGLICANUM's 2015 commissioned musical sequence,
'
DAVID JONES: July 1916, The Battle of Mametz Wood from 
In Parenthesis'    
 

 The panels will explore themes such as 'Picturing WWI', 'Refiguring Rome', 'The Anglo-Saxon Tradition', 'The Matter of In Parenthesis', 'Sacramental Thinking' and 'A Jonesian Theology of History'. Over thirty papers will be presented by scholars including Kathleen Henderson Staudt, Paul Robichaud, Tom Goldpaugh, Christine Pagnoulle, Brad Haas, Tom Villis, Luke Thurston, Hilary Davies and Fr. John David Ramsey, among many others.

If you  have any questions please contact us at: davidjonesdialogues@gmail.com
​See the original Call for Papers (CFP) in PDF form below:
cfp_poster_dj_conference-3.pdf
File Size: 389 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Cover Image: Page of In Parenthesis (Part VII), Early Manuscript Draft. National Library of Wales, David Jones Papers, LP1/1 
The First World War Digital Archive, University of Oxford [Copyright Notice] 
© 

Picture
Picture
Picture
  • Poster
  • Recordings & Timetable
  • Photo Gallery & Feedback
  • Events
  • Exhibition
  • Keynotes
  • Location & Accomodation
  • Registration
  • Contact