Short Abstract:

This panel and workshop focus on the impact of materiality in our lives and biographies. We explore the affective potential of materiality, and the entanglements of materiality and sensory experiences in affective atmospheres, for example processes of creating a sense of home and belonging.

Long Abstract:

Materiality in terms of tangible objects, physical materials and environments but also sensory elements such as scents and sounds form an important part of our everyday lives. Material elements impact on our feelings, actions and choices but often this remains unnoticed. Recent research on materiality and affect emphasizes the entanglement of materiality and senses. Certain objects or assemblages of objects reinforce sensory experiences that create affective atmospheres such as feelings of belonging.

In this panel we discuss the potentials of affective materiality and atmospheres of belonging in our everyday lives. We invite papers that discuss the impacts of materiality and sensory experiences, how particular objects and environments help us to create meaningful atmospheres, or how certain physical elements embody negative feelings and can be perceived as disturbing. We are also interested in autobiographical materiality, objects that people appreciate, treasure and keep with them. Some of these maintain a connection with the past, while some other help us to imagine the future.

The panel will be followed by an experimental workshop in which we explore objects connected to belonging and feeling at home. We ask the workshop participants to take along an object, such as a memento, a book or a photograph, which makes them feel "at home", and to describe the sensory experiences and memories connected to them. The aim of the workshop is to create a pop-up exhibition by photographing the objects.

Maximum number of papers: 8.

Maximum number of workshop participants: 15.