The international conference intends to take a diachronic perspective on the relationship between gestures and technical objects. The tactile-haptic exploration of the environment with its epistemic function for the perceiving agent, manipulative actions, and cognitive-semiotic gestures are fundamental for the evolutionary and historical development of anthropotechniques and their correlative cultural artefacts. Gestures are dynamic, performative and explorative; for the sake of clarity concerning our intentions, we can adapt Austin’s pragmatic function and ask: how to do things with hands (and bodies)?
Attendance is free of charge; registration is not needed. The conference will be held in the rooms of the Fritz Thyssen Stiftung as seen above, which will also cater for the physical wellbeing. Please be aware that the definite schedule will be made public: Schedule and further information
Organizers: Thiemo Breyer, Alexander Gerner, Niklas Grouls, Johannes Schick
Hosting institutions: Collaborative Research Centre “Our Way to Europe”, Cologne-Lisbon Philosophy of Technology Lab, a.r.t.e.s. Graduate School for the Humanities Cologne