The Space Between society hosts an annual conference, usually in May or June. This year’s conference will take place at DePaul University’s Loop campus in downtown Chicago.
At Play in the Space Between, 1914-1945
DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois
June 20-22, 2013
The 15th annual conference of the Space Between society will explore the multifaceted subject of play as it relates to literature, art, history, music, theatre, media, and spatial or material culture in any country between 1914 and 1945. From surrealist games to improvisational jazz, from Mrs Dalloway’s party to Archibald Motley’s Nightlife, from the exploits of the “Bright Young People” to the political games of wartime, play figures prominently in the arts and culture of this period. We invite proposals for papers considering any aspect of play—light or dark, free or controlled, experimental or entertaining. Papers that complicate or challenge conventional notions of play are also welcome. [Note: The proposal deadline has passed.]
Keynote speaker: Dickran Tashjian, Professor Emeritus of Art History from the University of California, Irvine. A leading scholar of New York Dada and Surrealism, Dickran Tashjian has written broadly on Visual Studies, American Studies, and Art History. His publications include A Boatload of Madmen: The American Avant-Garde 1920-1950; Joseph Cornell: Gifts of Desire; Skyscraper Primitives: Dada and the American Avant-Garde 1910-1925; and William Carlos Williams and the American Scene 1920-1940.
For information about the conference, please contact Rebecca Cameron, Associate Professor of English, DePaul University at rcameron[at]depaul.edu.
Preliminary Program:
A preliminary conference program is available here. (Please note that a few changes may be made to the schedule as the conference date approaches. If you would be interested in chairing a session, please contact Rebecca Cameron.)
Conference Location, Time Limits, Equipment:
The conference will take place at DePaul University’s Loop Campus, on the 8th floor of the DePaul Center at 1 E. Jackson Ave (at the corner of State and Jackson, above Barnes & Noble, next to the Red Line Jackson Station). Papers presented at the conference should be no more than 20 minutes, including any slides and video/audio clips. All rooms are equipped with desktop computers, LCD projectors, DVD/VHS players, and laptop connections. DVDs or CDs can be played on desktop computers using Windows Media Player; PowerPoint is also available.
Registration:
Registration fees are due by June 1st. Fees include a $25 membership to the Space Between Society and a subscription to the annual journal. Please complete a registration form and mail it along with a check made out to DePaul University to Rebecca Cameron, Associate Professor, Department of English, DePaul University, 2315 N. Kenmore Ave, Chicago IL 60614. Registration and membership fees paid by June 1st are $125 US for full-time faculty and $100 US for graduate students and part-time faculty. After June 1st, combined registration and membership fees will go up to $150 US for full-time faculty and $125 US for graduate students and part-time faculty.
Accommodations:
Special group rates for conference participants have been arranged at the following locations:
1. Club Quarters, Central Loop ($141 or $156/night + tax)
www.clubquarters.com/loc_chicago.php
111 West Adams Street, Chicago IL (3 blocks from DePaul Center)
Club Quarters caters primarily to business travelers. Internet is available throughout the hotel and the lower-floor lounge and workroom has computers, printers, coffee/tea, and snacks. Please book your room by May 17, 2013 to get the conference rate of $141/ night for smaller “club-size” rooms and $156/night for standard rooms. To get the conference rate, please call Member Services during business hours at 1-203-905-2100. Identify yourself as with DePaul University and use the group code DEP613.
2. Silversmith Hotel and Suites ($189/night + tax)
http://www.silversmithchicagohotel.com
10 South Wabash Avenue, Chicago, IL (3 ½ blocks from the DePaul Center)
The Silversmith is a historic boutique hotel just a block from Michigan Avenue and Millenium Park. Wifi is available throughout the hotel. The lobby of this hotel is on the second floor; the first floor houses a bar and deli. Please make a reservation by May 20, 2013 to get the conference rate of $189/night. To book your room, please call 1-800-979-0084 and request the Space Between Society group rate or use the following link: Space Between Society. Double rooms with two queen beds are also available at this location for $199/night.
3. University Center Housing ($60 or $68/night, two-night minimum) [GROUP DEADLINE PASSED]
http://chicagosummerhousing.com/accommodations
525 South State Street, Chicago, IL 60605 (2 blocks from the DePaul Center)
The University Center is a student residence hall that converts to short-term, hotel-style accommodations in the summer. All rooms are air-conditioned, and wireless connections are available in common areas. Guests also have access to a cafeteria and fitness center. The deadline for booking University Center accommodations at the group rate was March 12, 2013, but it may still be possible to book a room individually at http://stay.universitycenter.com/. Rooms booked in this way do not qualify for the group rate but they are still economical for downtown Chicago in June at $70-80/night + taxes.
Transportation:
By Air: Chicago is served by two major airports, O’Hare and Midway, both of which are well connected to the downtown area (known as “the Loop”). The Chicago public transit system, the CTA, runs to both airports: O’Hare is on the Blue Line and Midway is on the Orange Line. Taxis to the Loop will cost approximately $35-$45 from O’Hare and $25-$30 from Midway (more in rush hours).
By Train: Amtrak trains run to Union Station, just west of downtown Chicago (a.k.a. “the Loop”). From there, you can take a short bus or taxi ride or even walk to conference hotels or the conference venue. Metra and South Shore commuter trains also run from nearby towns and suburbs to Chicago.
Parking: Please be advised that parking is expensive in downtown Chicago; in June, most hotels and private garages charge $35-50/night. DePaul does not have a parking facility in the Loop, but conference guests may park for a reduced rate of $8.00/day at DePaul’s Lincoln Park campus. From there, you can take a 30-minute CTA train ride (from the nearby Fullerton station) or taxi to the conference venue or a hotel. Parking instructions and vouchers will be sent to all conference participants a couple of weeks before the conference. Vouchers will also be available at the conference site.
