The Art of Storytelling: Archetypes in Focus

The Art of Storytelling: Archetypes in Focus 27th to 28th May 2024 Edinburgh, United Kingdom and Online This conference aims to gather both creatives and scholars to discuss the diverse types, functions, and significance of storytelling. Enquiries: conferences@labrc.co.uk Web address: https://labrc.co.uk/2024/02/11/storytelling/ Sponsored by: London Arts-Based Research Centre Call for Proposals: "The power of stories lies in their ability to access the deep layers of the psyche, providing a mirror to our inner world." - Marie-Louise Von Franz As aptly stated by Jimmy Neil Smith, "We are all storytellers. We all live in a network of stories. There isn't a stronger connection between people than storytelling." What distinguishes humans is not merely our consciousness, but our innate capacity to craft narratives - myths being the earliest manifestations of this unique trait, as noted by Margaret Atwood, "built in the human plan. We come with it." This conference aims to convene screenwriters, performance storytellers, digital storytellers, authors, educators, practitioners, journalists, scholars, researchers, psychologists, visual artists, and other creatives to explore the diverse types, functions, and significance of storytelling. In addition to delving into the fundamental question, "what truly constitutes a story?", we seek to delve into why storytelling remains vital, how it continues to resonate in contemporary society, and the profound impact narratives have on shaping our perceptions and identities. With a comparative lens, we will examine various narrative forms, tracing their roots in mythology to the latest innovations in storytelling. We invite 15-minute presentations on topics including (but not limited to) the following: - Common archetypes in stories - Sandplay and its narrative implications in therapy - Storytelling as a therapeutic tool - Murals and visual storytelling - The intersection of storytelling and technology - Digital storytelling: Innovations and challenges - Exploring cross-genre storytelling through the prose poem - Ekphrastic storytelling: The dialogue between image and text - Performance storytelling: Oral traditions in modern contexts - The role of research in storytelling practices - Fairytales, fables, and their enduring relevance - Contemporary renditions of mythology - Evolution of archetypal themes in children's films - Children's pop storytelling culture: Trends and impacts - The function of storytelling in pedagogy - Storytelling in drama - Analysing shifts in archetypal reflections in children's stories - Understanding the psychology underpinning storytelling processes - Surrealism and magical realism: Expanding narrative boundaries - The art of visual storytelling: From illustration to graphic novels to sequential art - For creatives: Sharing and discussing your own creative storytelling work Note: Participants interested in attending the conference without presenting a paper are also welcome. Submission Guidelines: Abstracts should be submitted through https://forms.gle/N8zXSzCqm1q8jUud8 by April 14, 2024. For inquiries or clarifications, please email us at conferences@labrc.co.uk