A global cohort of scholars, students and enthusiasts of English writer Virginia Woolf’s work will come together and celebrate her enduring legacy in literature at the 33rd annual International Conference on Virginia Woolf: Woolf, Modernity, Technology.
The event will take place Thursday through Sunday, June 6 through 9, at Fresno State, with pre- and post-conference excursions on June 5 and 9.
Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in thought-provoking discussions on various aspects of Woolf’s literature, including her reflections on modernity and the relation of technology to her work in a captivating lineup of sessions, panels and keynote talks by renowned scholars in the field of Woolf studies.
Organized by Dr. J. Ashley Foster, associate professor of 20th and 21st-century British literature with emphasis in digital humanities, the conference will delve into the theme of “Woolf, Modernity, Technology,” exploring the intersection of Virginia Woolf’s work with innovation and technological advancements.
Attendees can anticipate engaging presentations, panel discussions and question-and-answer sessions with acclaimed scholars and experts in Woolf studies. There will be a plenary roundtable on Thursday, June 6, where all attendees are encouraged to participate in conversations. Esteemed scholar Sonita Sarker will take the stage on Friday, June 7, sharing profound insights on “techne,” modernism and writing. The evening reception will feature renowned poet-scholar Jane Goldman and a floor-to-ceiling installation of hand-printed lines from Kew Gardens, a Woolf short story, presented by the internationally acclaimed artist Ane Thon Knutsen from Norway. Two award-winning Fresno State poets, Brynn Saito and Mai Der Vang, will cap off the evening.
The event continues on Saturday, June 8, as accomplished academic Paul Saint Amour takes center stage, offering insight into the interwar period’s land observation techniques and their intersections with Virginia Woolf’s work.
Throughout the conference, attendees will have the opportunity to engage in multiple daily panels, delving into various aspects of Woolf’s legacy and the broader context of modernist literature.
Beyond the academic discourse, attendees can look forward to an array of interactive and artistic events, including the “Modernist Technologies” exhibition at the M Street Graduate Art Studios, 1419 M St. in Downtown Fresno, during Art Hop on Thursday, June 6. This interdisciplinary exhibition will showcase graduate student artworks alongside augmented reality installations and digital humanities projects relating to Woolf’s works.
In addition to these academic and interactive experiences, there will be opportunities to explore the natural beauty of California. On June 5, scholars will embark on a journey to Yosemite National Park, and on June 9, they will explore the breathtaking landscapes of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.
More information and details can be found on the website at fresnostate.edu/woolf2024 or by contacting Dr. J. Ashley Foster at woolf2024@mail.fresnostate.edu.
(Pictured: “A London Street in the Late 1800s Near a River at Night” – Painted by Glenn Terpstra 2022)
