Art
and Mind
presents
Language,
Poetry and the Brain
A one
day exploration of the springs of poetry
22nd
October 2005
Theatre
Royal Winchester
To be
introduced on stage and co-ordinated
by the
poet
Ruth Valentine.
Starting
with the fundamental musical and linguistic structures of
the brain this Festival will explore the evolution of language
into consciousness and the flowering of poetry and music
in human cultures. This one-day event, through live talks
and performance, will present a unique combination of science
and art that we hope we will illuminate poetic creation.
With poets, musicians and scientists working together we
believe we may open doors onto a new perception of the deep
wellsprings poetry.
Garry
Kennard
Director
- Art
and Mind
Programme
Each
session will include a time for questions from the audience
Session
One
The
Evolution of Language
11.30am
- 12.15
Perceiving
and Producing Music and Language:
A Neuroscientific View.
A discussion
of the current understanding of the brain basis of singing,
speaking, music listening, language understanding, and music
and language improvisation.
Professor
Larry Parsons, University of Sheffield
Professor
Parsons has presented lectures all over the world on language/music
and the brain topics.
12.15
- 1.15pm
The
Archaeology of the Mind
A look
at how language and music co-evolved during human evolution,
and relate to the emergence of
consciousness and culture
Professor
Steven Mithen, University of Reading
Professor
Mithen's books include 'The Prehistory of the Mind' (1996).
His latest publication is 'The Singing Neanderthals: The
Origins of Music, Language, Mind and Body'.
1.15pm
- 2.30
Lunch
Session
Two
Words
and Music
2.30
- 3.30
Music
- A Language too Precise for Words
An exploration
of musical 'language'
Professor
Paul Robertson
This
great violinist, who presented the TV series 'Music and
the Mind' has a particular interest in how music makes its
effects on the brain.
4.00
- 5.00
Is
Language a Kind of Music?
Language
and musicality in babies.
Professor
Bob Turner, University College London
Professor
Turner is credited with developing Functional Magnetic Imaging
. He has a particular knowledge of the role of music in
cognitive behaviour.
5.00
- 7.00 pm
Supper break
Session
Three
The
Rhythms of Life
7.00
- 7.30
Performance
of new works by participants in the previous week's workshops.
Hosted by our in house poets.
8.00
- 8.45
Words
The
rhythms and sound of poetry -
A distinguished
poet discusses her work
Ruth
Padel
Renowned
poet and scholar Ruth Padel's latest book is 'Tigers in
Red Weather'.
9.00
- 10.00
Together
Ruth
Padel performs her own poetry
with
Matthew
Barley and his group
'Between
the Notes'
who
will explore, and add their own associations to, the music
of these wonderful poems: witness
a new work in the making.
Cellist
Matthew Barley with his ensemble 'Between the Notes' has
performed around the world in an astonishing variety of
collaborations as well as performing as a solo artist.
