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With the conference "Techniques of the body", given in 1934 at the Société de Psychologie, Marcel Mauss opened if not a new field of studies, at least a new way of considering the relationship between the body (in relation to cultural practices) and the notions of efficiency and tradition which qualify, according to him, what a technique is (i.e. « an action which is effective and traditional »). What was considered to be innate or personal is proven to be a fact of culture and, more transgressive, of training (the word used in French is “dressage”, which refers specifically to the training of animals). We knew that we could learn to master our gestures to dominate nature, and with this text, we foresee that the most « natural » behaviours such as walking, running, swimming, moving, eating, breathing or even sleeping, are the fruit of a dressage, just like the one we apply to tame wild creatures or, says Mauss, “like the assembly of a machines, in the search for the acquisition of an efficiency”.
Following on this major breakthrough in modern anthropology, we will investigate various theories and practices which have been directly or indirectly influenced by Marcel Mauss’ legacy. Sports, fitness, medicine, enhancements, performative arts and other forms of techniques applied to the body will be studied and put in perspective, in light of some major concepts of the 20th and 21st century, such as that of “eco-technical”, by Jean-Luc Nancy, of “making”, by Tim Ingold, of “control” by Michel Foucault, of “desire” by Gilles Deleuze, etc.
Together with sociologist Philippe Liotard, who will be our guest for a 2 to 3-day block seminar, we will first explore various theories (epistemology of the body, ethics, philosophy, sociology), objects (body art, body modification, prosthetics…) and practices (modification of appearance, functions or identity) developed around the relation of the body to its tools and forms of expression. How do people create their own knowledge, produce bio-technology and how their desire generates new techniques and new necessities?
Students will be asked to choose a case-study and to present it to the group. The dates of the second block seminar will be decided with the students on the first session, which will take place on April 16th, from 14.00 to 16.00. |
