The University of Edinburgh
COLLEGE of HUMANITIES and SOCIAL SCIENCE
Professor Jolyon Mitchell
Personal Chair of Communications, Arts and Religion
will deliver his
Inaugural Lecture
‘Swords into Ploughshares’
Transforming Arms into Art
in the Assembly Hall
New College
1 Mound Place, Edinburgh, EH1 2LU
on 15 September 2011 at 2.00pm
This lecture is open to the public
RSVP to Annie Hetherington
Annie.Hetherington@ed.ac.uk
0131 650 6622
Abstract
How can weapons be turned into art? How can ‘swords’ be transformed into ‘ploughshares’? For some scholars and practitioners involved in building peace, the phrase ‘Swords into Ploughshares’ is an overused cliché that has lost its original force. In this illustrated public lecture, Professor Jolyon Mitchell investigates how this ancient text is being brought to life in many different parts of the world through artistic projects promoting peace. He analyses how various artists are transforming weapons that used to kill into tools for farming, useful objects or symbols of peace. He explores how different museums, educators and film-makers are now using these pieces to envision peace. Professor Mitchell considers the significance of these expressions of ‘Swords into Ploughshares’ in local, national and international peacebuilding.
Jolyon Mitchell is Professor of Communications, Arts and Religion, Director of the Centre for Theology and Public Issues at the University of Edinburgh, and a former BBC World Service Producer and Journalist.
www.italker.org.uk
18 September 2011
Well done Jolyon I found the lecture stimulating. Check out my piece on the topic at http://www.italker.org.uk
ctpiedinburgh
19 September 2011
Many thanks for your interesting response, iTalker. I’ll pass this along to Jolyon.