We are delighted to invite you to the 24th Scientific Conference of the Society for Gestalt Theory and its Applications (GTA) organised jointly with the Institute of Musicology of Humboldt University and the BSP Business & Law School Berlin.
The conference venues are
“Gestalt – Imagery – Action” addresses structured wholes in the phenomenally given (Gestalt), multi-modal experiences without a direct sensory input (Imagery) and forms of action that may arise from experienced Gestalts and mental imagery (Action). Of particular interest are the mediations that occur between these dimensions.
In the 1920s, Gestalts were discussed as principles of self-organization in human thinking and perception, in behaviour, and in the physical world. Carl Stumpf and the founders of the Berlin School of Gestalt Theory Max Wertheimer, Wolfgang Köhler and Kurt Koffka developed a new theory of mind, anchored in psychology and a scientific world-view. Kurt Lewin developed a Gestalt theory of action. Perceptual psychologist Rudolf Arnheim adopted Gestalt theory for art and visual studies.
One hundred years after the thriving decade of Gestalt Theory in Berlin, this conference motto honours these ground-breaking scientific traditions whilst coupling them with current research paradigms. Current studies of mental imagery, of cognition and action and of the ecology of perception (affordance) draw on aspects of Gestalt theory, but rarely reflect on its ethical and holistic implications. The conference aims to critically engage these developments which unfold in a highly dynamic environment, spurred by computational and AI innovations. They complicate theory-driven approaches and invite us to reconsider the relevance of Gestalt concepts in general.
It will also create a space for students and for upstart researchers to articulate themselves in various formats. And it invites the public to share knowledge about Gestalt research in Berlin during a city walk.
The conference program will comprise key-note lectures, panel discussions, workshops, poster sessions, visits to historic sound archives, an easy listening session and a concert. We also plan a guided walk to the landmark sites of historic Gestalt Research in Berlin Mitte.
The conference languages are German and English.
Stay tuned to the page, which is constantly updated with details about the meeting and events.