Informal Session: Mimesis and Transcultural Encounters
Organizers: Jeannette Mageo, Elfriede Hermann, Deborah Gewertz

In our initial session we began a stimulating and productive discussion on the theorization and illustration of mimesis in the context of transcultural encounters. Our “informal” session turned out to be quite a formal one since we had seven paper presentations. Following Jeanette Mageo’s introduction on a broadened concept of mimesis, Joyce D. Hammond, Andrew Connelly, Jeannette Mageo, Tate Le Fevre, Tom Ryan and Elfriede Hermann presented ethnographic case studies. Other attendees expressed their interest in joining the session and engaged in the discussion. From our exchange several common themes emerged: (1) the importance of mimetic “conversations” in transcultural encounters; (2) the presence of specific perspectives of all parties involved; (3) the impact of history and power relationships on mimetic processes; (4) the existence of various layers of mimesis; (5) the relations between the imagery and mimesis; (6) the significance of sensuality, emotionality, performativity and embodiment in mimetic processes; (7) mimesis and the signification of similarity and difference; (8) the relevance of authorship, control and agency in mimesis; (9) the potential of mimesis for transculturation and cultural transformation. We agreed that we will proceed to a working session next year, provided that we will have a minimum of seven participants presenting papers in person. People who would like to join us for a working session are kindly asked to contact Jeannette Mageo and Elfriede Hermann. Please send us your abstract by October 1, 2012, and plan to have your paper ready for pre-circulation by January 11, 2013.

Jeannette Mageo, Anthropology Department 664910, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164-4910, USA. jmageo@wsu.edu

Elfriede Hermann, Institut für Ethnologie, Universität Göttingen, Theaterplatz 15, 37073 Göttingen, GERMANY; Elfriede.Hermann@sowi.uni-goettingen.de