a symposium on aesthetics and political forms

We live in strange times. Isis, an international terrorist organization, uses kitten pictures to soften its public image. A right wing ideologue rises to the U.S. presidency via Twitter, a media platform that miniaturizes public speech and thrives on one liners. Meanwhile, nations wage war using tiny flying cameras that are also bombs, and the iconic symbol of resistance is a pink knitted hat with ears.

Join us for an afternoon of presentations and discussion with an international group of cultural critics. And learn about two important new books: Compact Cinematics (Bloomsbury) and The Aesthetics and Affects of Cuteness (Routledge). At 17.00, following the presentations, there will be a wine reception.