Difference
The proposed panel/s takes Judith Butler's contention that "Matter, [is] not a
site or surface, but a process of materialization that stabilizes over time to
produce the effect of boundary, fixity, and surface we call matter" (1993: 9)
seriously and brings it in conversation with the matters of 'nature'
which have
witnessed significant efforts and effects of fixing and stabilizing its
identity, meaning, and form. In an attempt to initiate a dialogue, the aim of
the panel is to explore how battles over nature, particularly at this
political
and economic juncture, come to be materialized, what are the new 'regulatory
ideals' that are put into place to make and remake nature, and how deeply
imbricated categories of difference, of race, gender, indigeniety, are
performed through the work and materiality of nature, and with what
effects. In
order to elaborate the multiple articulations of power that circumscribe and
constitute the conjunctural terrain of nature, we invite papers that engage
with but are not limited to the politics of nature in colonial sites,
indigenous knowledges and practices of nature, environmentalisms, enclaved
nature, urban nature, gendered and embodied politics of nature, emergent forms
of natures like the GMOs, and the new regimes of nature's government and
improvement.
If you are interested in participating, please contact Shubhra Gururani
(gururani@yorku.ca) with the title of your paper and a brief description (100
words) as soon as you can.
