On February 24, 2024, I had the privilege of presenting my research at the Philopolis conference at McGill University. My presentation, titled “La tension merleau-pontienne du corps dans la production artistique du XXe siècle” (“The Merleau-Pontian Tension of the Body in 20th-Century Artistic Production”), explored the influence of Maurice Merleau-Ponty’s phenomenological theories on 20th-century art.
Presentation Reference:
La tension merleau-pontienne du corps dans la production artistique du XXe siècle (“The Merleau-Pontian Tension of the Body in 20th-Century Artistic Production”),,
presentation for the Philopolis conference, McGill University
A Bridge Between Philosophy and Art
My presentation addressed how Merleau-Ponty, with his philosophy centered on perception and the body, influenced 20th-century artists. I examined specific artworks that illustrate how bodily perception can be a creative act, thus reflecting Merleau-Ponty’s ideas on the intertwining of body and world.
Interaction and Reception
The presentation was received with great interest by an audience mainly composed of students and professors in philosophy and the arts. The discussions that followed helped deepen our understanding of the connections between Merleau-Ponty’s philosophy and 20th-century artistic movements, and allowed for debate on the application of his theories in contemporary artistic practices.
Personal and Professional Reflections
Participating in Philopolis was an enriching experience that not only validated my research but also broadened my academic perspective. Interacting with philosophers and artists allowed me to strengthen my arguments and discover new research avenues in the fields of phenomenology and art.
This presentation at McGill University highlighted the importance of philosophy in artistic interpretation and creation. It reinforced my commitment to exploring the dynamics between philosophy and art as a means of understanding and representing the world.