Sites of Memory: A Symposium on Toni Morrison and the Archive

122 Alexander Street,Princeton NJ 08544

23 March, 2023

Description

As part of a year of programming surrounding the Spring 2023 archival exhibition, Toni Morrison: Sites of Memory (curated by Autumn Womack), Sites of Memory: A Symposium on Toni Morrison and the Archive brings together scholars, artists, writers, and activists for a three day symposium to celebrate, interrogate, and reflect upon Toni Morrison’s archival practice in relation to her writing, her teaching, and her public intellectual work. While Morrison’s literary output is well known, this symposium breaks new ground by inviting attendees to think with her archive about less recognized aspects of her art: her composition practices, her unpublished writings, and her daily life as a teacher at Princeton. Across three days, we will explore the scope of Morrison’s archive, its central place in Princeton’s history and intellectual life, and its status as an entry point for reconsidering Morrison’s creative work and the way it continues to shape art, writing, and performance. Taking inspiration from Morrison’s investment in collaboration and innovative programming, the three days of programming include: a keynote lecture; a plenary conversation; five roundtables curated by Morrison scholars; commissioned performances by artists Samantha Spies and Daniel Alexander Jones at McCarter Theater; and additional campus programming. Across these events, the symposium emphasizes how the Morrison Papers is very much a living archive–a site of collaboration, innovation, and experimentation. The symposium will convene on Thursday, March 23 at 5pm and will close on Saturday evening, March 25th. Our opening keynote on Thursday afternoon features award-winning writer Edwidge Danticat, followed by a reception.