Full title: "Dancing with Animals: Empathy and Environmentalism in the 1970s"
Speaker: Dr. Daniel Belgrad
Environmentalism in the 1970s was characterized by a new emphasis on empathy with nature. It became widely accepted that animals have feelings, and therefore rights. This came as a result of a new way of thinking about what constitutes “intelligence,” broadening it to include what we would now call affect. In this context, “dance” was an important metaphor for interspecies communication. Dr. Belgrad will discuss the works of several key figures in this vein, including choreographer Simone Forti, “horse whisperer” Ray Hunt, and filmmaker Carroll Ballard (Rodeo and The Black Stallion).
The colloquium will be followed by a reception where snacks and refreshments will be provided.
Read More