IMC 2019: Sessions

Session 739: Materialities and the Senses

Tuesday 2 July 2019, 14.15-15.45

Sponsor:	Forum for Medieval & Renaissance Studies in Ireland (FMRSI)
Organiser:	Edward Coleman, Department of History,
Moderator/Chair:	Edward Coleman, Department of History,
Paper 739-a	Visio and Imaginatio: From the Materiality of the Cross to the Non-Material Reality of the Holy City (Language: English) Monika Veronika Eisenhauer, Independent Scholar, Koblenz Index terms: Art History - Decorative Arts, Philosophy, Religious Life, Theology
Paper 739-b	Divination From the Body: The Impact of Inner Vapours on True Mental Images (Language: English) Agnes Spengler, Fachrichtung Germanistik, Universität des Saarlandes / Department of Philosophy, National University of Ireland, Maynooth Index terms: Medicine, Philosophy, Science
Paper 739-c	Where You Are, There You Are: Relating Ruin Experience with the Creative Process (Language: English) Mark Dyer, School of Composition, Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester Index terms: Archaeology - Sites, Music
Abstract	Preoccupation with the human senses is evident in a range of narrative texts, scientific treatise and creative literature from the Middle Ages and Renaissance, as well as in the visual arts and music. Paper -a considers connections between exterior materiality and the internal senses that can be found in the early Christian jewelled crosses; precious stones reflect the light of Christ, whilst their symbolism activates the inner imagination. Paper -b investigates the scientific approach to dreams in the 13th century, particularly the relationship between dream images and inner vapours. Paper -c draws on late medieval urban chronicles from Italy to examine the power of sound as a trigger for emotional responses, and the ways in which powerful elites shaped the soundscape to consolidate their control.