Panoramas as Memory of the World
33rd International Panorama Conference
Location: EPFL Pavillon A (Pl. Cosandey, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland) [map]
Organization: International Panorama Council and Laboratory for Experimental Museology
Section of the Rotunda, Leicester Square, in which is exhibited the Panorama, 1801. Etching and aquatint with hand-coloring. British Museum, 1880,1113.6025.
The International Panorama Council and the EPFL Laboratory for Experimental Museology invites scholars, artists, panorama/diorama enthusiasts and panorama/diorama practitioners to submit proposals that explore the theme of “Panoramas as Memory of the World.” Panoramas, in their various forms, seek to create an immersive experience by transporting visitors into another space. They commemorate events or celebrate memorable landscapes. Through their installations in staged ecosystems and their tailored mechanisms of illusion, they also create memories. The pioneering role of panoramas as the first immersive media in the nineteenth century can be assessed in the light of technological developments, from mechanical analog back then to computer-assisted digital today. By exploring painted panoramas from a media archaeology perspective, we gain a richer understanding of the historical trajectories of media technologies, aesthetics, and cultural practices, many of which continue to influence our media landscape today. We are also able to establish the basis for UNESCO Memory of the World listing by examining these pertinent issues. For more information, read our conference themes (below) and go to the IPC conference page to download the Call for Paper.
The IPC conference will present a diverse range of session topics based on the proposals, as well as workshops and roundtables. It will be of interest to academics, professionals, students, and enthusiasts of art, architecture, art history, conservation and preservation, cultural heritage, design, history, media, museum practice, panorama management, restoration, virtual reality, and visual culture, as well as to thinkers and makers from other disciplines or whose work is transdisciplinary with an interest in immersive media, mediated sensation, or any other related field of research.
Calendar
December 15, 2023 – publication of the Call for Papers
March 1, 2024 – deadline for the submission of proposals
April 12, 2024 – acceptance notification
April 30, 2024 – opening of the registration
June 30, 2024 – end of the registration
Program
The conference (October 2-4) will accommodate one keynote speaker (Oliver Grau, Professor for Image Science and Dean of the Department for Cultural Studies at Danube University), 35 speakers in sessions, workshops and roundtables, and two guided tours, one of the Laboratory for Experimental Museology housing large scale interactive and immersive visualization systems, featuring the DIAGRAM project, and the EPFL Pavillons, featuring the exhibition « Musica ex Machina: Machines Thinking Musically ».
The final program will be published July 1, 2024.
- Day 1 | Wednesday, 02 October, 9:00-15:30 (MOW Unesco workshops – Optional for conference attendees; 16:00-21:00 (Welcome events and activities; dinner);
- Day 2 | Thursday, 03 October, 9:00-18:00 (conference sessions, breaks, lunch and free evening);
- Day 3 | Friday, 04 October, 9:00-21:30 (conference sessions, coffee breaks, lunch and dinner, group photo);
- Day 4 and 5 | 05/06 October, (optional 2 days post-conference tour).
The Post-Conference Tour (October 5-6) will include a visit to the 4 panoramas in Switzerland (more information about these panoramas in that leaflet, as well as a visit to the battlefield at Murten (topic of the Murten Panorama, not open to the public). Transportation is by bus, and overnight accommodation in Lucerne and dinner are included in the price. The tour will be confirmed on July 1, 2024, with a minimum participation of 15 people. The price is subject to reduction according to the number of participants (400Eur from 25).
Registration
Participation in the conference is subject to a registration fee based on the status below. This fee includes access to the three-day conference and additional programs (tours), meals (lunch and dinner), but not hotels (more details below). Registration for the two-day post-conference excursion is subject to an additional registration fee, which includes transportation, meals, tours and hotel.
Speaker IPC Member 215 EUR
Speaker Non-Member 315 EUR
Attendee IPC Member 250 EUR
Attendee Non-Member 350 EUR
Attendee Member of Swiss Museums Association & ICOM Switzerland – 300 EUR
Student 180 EUR
Optional post-conference tour +455 EUR
To register to the conference and the additional post-conference tour, please fill out the registration form. The registration closes June 30, 2024.
How to get there?
Address of the main conference venue
EPFL Pavilions (Pavilion A)
Place Cosandey
CH – 1015 Lausanne
Flight information
Fly to either Geneva or Zürich. Train connection are available from both locations to Lausanne or Morges (From Zurich, about 2h 30min, one-way full price CHF 82 and from Geneva, about 1h, one-way full price CHF 29). Check the Swiss Railway website for timetables.
Ground transport information
Access to the campus via the main train stations (Lausanne, Renens, Morges)
The EPFL campus is easily accessible thanks to a dense urban public transport network and its proximity to major rail connections. The site is served by the m1 metro, tl buses (1, 31) and MBC buses (701, 705). Check the Transport Lausannois (tl) website for timetables.
From Lausanne station
By bus (about 25 minutes)
tl1 direct route towards EPFL/Colladon, stop at the terminus
By metro – via Le Flon (about 20 minutes)
m2 towards Croisettes, get off at Lausanne-Flon
m1 metro towards Renens gare, EPFL stop
From Renens station
By bus (about 11 minutes)
tl31 at Renens gare sud stop towards Venoge sud, UNIL-Sorge stop or Argand stop
By metro (about 6 minutes)
m1 towards Lausanne-Flon, EPFL stop
From Morges station
By bus (about 15-20 minutes)
MBC 701, towards Lausanne Bourdonnette, Pré-Fleuri stop, Parc Scientifique stop, Pâqueret stop or Champagne stop
Hotels
Hotels are not included in the registration fee. Conference participants are free to organize their stay as they see fit. Note that the EPFL campus is situated in between Lausanne and Morges, on the shores of the lake Leman.
There are two hotels with pre-booked rooms, on a special conference rate. Both these hotels are within walking distance from the conference venue and will offer a local public transport card included in the price. There are 40 pre-booked rooms on a first come first served basis. Information on how to book (with conference discount price) is available in the registration form.
Starling Hotel Lausanne (4 stars), Rte Cantonale 31, 1025 Saint-Sulpice.
176/n (business), 201/n (superior).
SwissTech Hotel (2 stars), Rue Louis Favre 10b, 1024 Ecublens.
135.50/n.
If you are registered for the post-conference tour, book until Saturday 5 October, the start of the tour is at the conference location. The overnight stay in Lucerne is included in the registration fee for the post-conference tour (no need to book!). The end of the post-conference tour is at the conference venue on Sunday late afternoon. There will be a stop at Bern station in the afternoon for those have connecting trains to Zürich airport. If you want to book an additional night after the post-conference tour, we suggest booking in Bern or in Lausanne.
Organization
The conference is co-organized by the International Panorama Council and Laboratory for Experimental Museology. For additional information or question, reach out by email to the conference organizer (IPC, Secretariate) or the host (EPFL, Daniel Jaquet)