The British Academy ECR Research Presentation

In this presentation, Michiko will talk about their latest research project, which aims to explore the manifestation of the polytheistic and animistic imagination in various forms of popular cultures, religions, rituals, folklore, festivals and carnivals, and its innate characteristics of hedonism as a form of resistance and critique to the normalisation of life in the contemporary socio-political landscape. In particular, the project investigates three countries - Japan, Spain and the UK - in which the polytheistic imagination survives alongside/behind the dominant monotheistic belief system. The project is interdisciplinary and transcultural, involving UK-based artists and researchers from a wide range of disciplines and multicultural backgrounds. This presentation focuses on the first phase of the project, which involves our participation in the annual performance festival, the Shinano Primitive Sense Art Festival, which takes place in August in the forests of central Japan.

The British Academy Early Career Researcher Network brings together ECRs across the humanities and social sciences disciplines, regardless of their funding source or background.

The aim of the session is to bring London based ECRs together to share their work and experiences, fostering collaboration, networking, creativity, and the exchange of ideas. There will be short presentations from ECRs, followed by an open discussion and Q&A session chaired by Professor Lynda Mead FBA.