Forms in translation (Marcus Twellmann)
“Form” is a basic concept of literary studies, rich in tradition. With an eye to spatio-temporal processes of relocation the subproject seeks to grasp this concept anew, relating literary to other socio-cultural forms. Following a guiding principle of New Formalism the project aims at a reconceptualization that allows to conceive non-literary realities as well, thus offering the possibility to relate different forms on the same ontological level.
Form has traditionally been conceptualized a composite whole, taking the biological organism concept as a model. Instead, the project is oriented towards a form of visual art known as “assemblage” that has triggered path-breaking theoretical innovations. In this newer tradition, we seek to develop a theory which conceives forms as processes of aggregation, temporal stabilization and disaggregation of heterogeneous ensembles. How can we grasp the mobility of literary forms, assuming that their environments also consist of forms?