The 25th Annual Visual Research Conference
Program Schedule
November 30- December 2, 2009*
Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Philadelphia, PA
Thomas D. Blakely and Joanna Cohan Scherer, Organizers

The Visual Research Conference is like a panel discussion with ALL the participants (including the audience) as potential participants. Presenters come with works in progress in order to dialogue with each other and the other participants, not to “read papers”. Of course sometimes a presenter or a participant cannot attend Monday evening (November 30*) through Wednesday afternoon, but those who can do so should plan to come on Monday for dinner at 7:00 and stay until Wednesday afternoon to FULLY take part in the small conference experience.

This Preliminary Program’s Tentative Schedule is subject to change. Please check this web page periodically for updates. The last update will be posted by Monday, November 23, 2009.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 7pm
Philadelphia Marriott Downtown

7:00 pm  Meet near the Marriott’s registration desk and go to a nearby restaurant for an informal no-host dinner.  Each presenter and Visual Research Conference participant is welcome and encouraged to attend.

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 9am-6pm,
Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Grand Ballroom Salon A

9:00 am  Introduction, Thomas D. Blakely and Joanna Cohan Scherer, Visual Research Conference Co-Chairs

9:10  Andrea Heckman, “The Art of Documentary Filmmaking in Monasteries and Sacred Spaces”

10:10  informal discussions

10:20  Kearsley Stewart,  “The Value of the Bead”: Beauty and Personhood in Contemporary Ghana”

11:10  informal discussions

11:20  Marilyn Watson and Alexis Wallick, “Visualizing the Sacred: ‘Asking Permission of Mother Earth’ with a Mixtec Healer”

12:10  lunch break

2:00 pm  25th Annual Visual Research Conference Special Presentation by SVA Past-President Ann Zeller, “Reflections : I Couldn’t Have Done it Without You”

3:00  Jennifer Jackson, “The Ethnopoetic Power of Place: Exploring Democratic Process in the Link Between Language, Land, and Belief in the Oil-Rich Regions of Madagascar”

3:50  informal discussions

4:00  Michael Ennis-McMillan and Jill Sweet, “Anthropology, Photography, and the Ethics of representing Pueblo Dance”

4:50  Carolyn Merritt, “Compass(es): Space, Time, Love, Tango”

5:45  adjourn for a no-host dinner at a nearby restaurant

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 9am-1pm
Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Independence Ballroom III (Third Floor)

9:00 am  Jacquetta Hill, “Conservation of Dance and Music ‘A-Hui’ and Ethnic Identity among Lahu of Northern Thailand”

10:00  Rolf Husmann, “Images Returning Home — An Ongoing Project in Thailand”

10:50  informal discussions

11:00  Tami Blumenfield, “Representing the Moso [Yunnan, China] Media Project”

11:50  Gary Seaman, “Introductory Anthropology and Instructional Media: A North China Village”

12:40pm  Concluding remarks, Thomas D. Blakely and Joanna Cohan Scherer, 25th Annual Visual Research Conference Co-Chairs