An evening spent reading photographs

Thanks to everyone for a wonderful salon evening last Thursday. We glimpsed the world of French literary theorist and philosopher, Roland Barthes, and searched for the 'punctum' and 'studium' in our own and other member's photographs. By way of an introduction, the evening started with Linnet's discussion of how Barthes' ideas and writing have time and again pierced her life. We then examined 2 photos that were not our own, to see what they 'do' to us. We shared the reasons for our particular choice of photograph and how it moved us. We grappled with the difference between reading a photograph culturally and intellectually, and being struck by it in a bodily and often incomprehensible way. As one member commented at the end of the evening 'I will never look at photographs the same way again'.

The next members' salon evening will be held on Thursday March 11 - same place and time. Rona and Wendy will be collaborating on this one.

Writing, playing charades, watching film, listening to music, walking and singing were all part of Saturday's Slow Philosophy Away Day...

...And did we mention slow dining and plenty of table talk too? Taking a creative approach to the realm of philosophy, our slow philosophy away day offered the perfect opportunity to conduct a communal experiment in Embodied Philosophy and bodily learning. To this end, we used our bodily reactions to a variety of time-related stimuli to explore our relationship to time, its flow, and the pace that each of us feels comfortable with as we navigate the world around us. By the end of the day our group conclusion on 'slow' was that finding the right pace for the right situation - an appropriate tempo giusto! - is probably more important than simply slowing down. This was a playful and fun day, and we thank our participants for their wonderful contributions and inspiring insights. Long live the philosopher queens! May we all meet again for another away day like this one.

To get a fuller sense of what happened on this day why not visit the away day page of our website.

Slow Philosophy Away Day Fast Approaching !

wine women and philosophy is looking forward to its first Away Day of 2010, being held on Saturday, January 23rd from 10am to 4pm at the Nurtury in Lakefield, Gore. While taking the time to engage in a variety of activities - walking, writing, dining and conversing - we also stretch our philosophical understanding of how slowing down can be incorporated into our daily lives, and become part of living well.
Tempted? Why not take this opportunity to explore your own connection to time, and the pressures that an ever-ticking clock might be imposing on your life!
The day, with lunch included, costs $60 ($50 for wwp members). If your schedule doesn't allow you to attend this time round, but you are interested in this getaway topic, why not organize your own group and we'll do our best to make it work for you.