A Trans-disciplinary Conference with creative workshops, presentations, field visits, films, seminars and performances.

‘Geopoetics is concerned, fundamentally, with a relationship to the earth and the opening of a world’.

The Scottish Centre for Geopoetics and the University of the Highlands and Islands are hosting Expressing the Earth in Argyll 2017 to bring together creative artists, musicians, poets and film makers along with local people, academics, researchers, students and teachers to explore, create and debate the earth and the environment in this spectacular area of Scotland.

Expressing the Earth will address the ways in which people are influenced and brought together by island and rural environments from the Neolithic and Bronze Age, early Celtic Christian heritage and seafaring history to more recent industrial exploitation of the Slate Islands.

Themes and activities include literature, history, visual arts, film making, archaeology, geology, geography and theology – with active engagement and creative outcomes as central to the conference as academic papers and presentations. Speakers include Michael Russell MSP, Neil Simco (UHI), Mairead Nic Craith, Norman Bissell, Mairi McFadyen, Kenny Taylor, Elizabeth Rimmer. Workshops include Mandy Haggith, Andrew Phillips, Helen Boden. Performances include Mark Sheridan, Helen Moore, Finlay Wells.

The conference will take place at the Seil Island Hall in Argyll with field visits to create new work on Friday 23 and Saturday 24 June to Kilmartin Glen, Easdale Island and the Isle of Luing. There will be poetry readings, musical performances and social gatherings on the Thursday and Friday evenings. It is intended that the work created by the conference will feature in publications, travelling exhibitions and workshops in 2018.

Cost £120 for 3 days, £45 per day. Places are limited, so book early. First preference will be given to those who can attend all 3 days.

The 3 day cost includes all sessions, 3 lunches, 2 evening meals and 2 ceilidhs, all teas/coffees and return transport to Isle of Luing, Easdale Island and Kilmartin Glen (and Kilmartin Museum entry).

Free wifi available in the hall.

All participants will receive a free copy of Grounding a World: Essays on the Work of Kenneth White, Alba Editions rrp £9.95.

The conference programme will be available soon.

Accommodation links: B&B & Self-catering: www.seil.oban.ws

http://www.easdale.org/links/accommodation.htm

Caravans: www.oban-holiday.co.uk

Camping: Argyll Kayaker Cove, North Cuan, Seil 01852 300366

Camping & Camper vans: Highland Arts, Ellenabeich : 01852 300 273.

www.geopoetics.org.uk