6.00 – 7.15pm, at Art Exchange
This evening we bring together philosopher Alex Carter and art historian Matthew Bowman to discuss the life and writing of 20th century French philosopher Simone Weil.
Ian Law’s series ‘On Simone Weil Avenue’, currently on show in ‘Plumb Poltergeist, take Simone Weil’s life and writing as their foundation. Through this series, Law explores her ideas, particularly the way of living she proposes for workers in her pioneering book ‘The Need for Roots’. Having worked in a Renault car factory for a year to be at one with the workers, she envisages a workplace more akin to the domestic setting of the home, thereby avoiding the deadening oppressiveness of the factory environment.
Simone Weil is a challenging, sometimes contradictory and yet deeply fascinating writer. In this talk, philosopher Dr Alexander Carter and art critic Dr Matthew Bowman create a platform for discussion about by Simone Weil’s thought, which continues to influence today.
Dr Matthew Bowman lectures at Colchester School of Art and the University of Suffolk. His research focuses on art criticism, 20th century and contemporary art, photography and philosophy in the USA and Europe. He has published widely and writes reviews for ‘Art Monthly’. Presently, he is completing a book titled ‘October and the Expanded Field of Art and Criticism’, as well as editing ‘The Price of Everything and the Value of Nothing: Art Criticism and the Global Market’.
Dr Alex Carter is Academic Director for Philosophy at the University of Cambridge, Institute for Continuing Education; in addition, he oversees the Institute’s interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary award-bearing courses. Alex was awarded his PhD in Philosophy by the University of Essex in 2015. He is currently researching teaching methods at Queen’s College, Cambridge. His ongoing research interests include the theology of Simone Weil and Ludwig Wittgenstein’s ethical and religious ideas.
A drinks reception follows the talk.
Admission free, all welcome.
