The Sensoaesthetic Aspect of Ancient Materials, Online, July 1–2, 2021
Within archaeological and archaeometric discussions over the physical properties of ancient materials and production techniques what is often being excluded are the sensoaesthetic properties of materials. Yet those, which are the results of both a cultural as well as a physical activity, are of great importance. For instance, visual impressions of materials appear to be directly influenced by physical characteristics such as texture, colour, reflectivity, transparency etc. Acoustic impressions depend on material properties such as density, porosity, resilience, elasticity; even the smell of some materials has an effect on the way they are perceived by their users.
On the other hand, while experiences of sound, vision, touch and smell are explored in discussions about the agency of materials led, for instance, by art-materialists, the material’s physical properties are often not related to the role that their emotional, aesthetic and sensual aspects might play in a user-artefact interaction.
This workshop seeks to bridge this gap. By studying the sensoaesthetic aspect of ancient materials, it will explore the way specific experiences of materials could offer further knowledge over their physical properties. By examining how cultural and sensory experiences of a society allow aspects of the physical properties of materials to be appreciated, it will discuss choices of materials in relation to producer’s intentions, and, consequently, artefacts’ design, and the context of their use.
The workshop is organized by Maria Gerolemou (A. G. Leventis Research Associate, University of Exeter) and Thilo Rehren (A. G. Leventis Professor for Archaeological Sciences, The Cyprus Institute).
The workshop is supported by the Cyprus Ministry of Education, Culture, Sport and Youth
Advance registration required. Registration closes June 25, 2021.