Frame Works

Deutsches Haus at NYU presents a two-part lecture on “Frame Works” with the author Thomas Meineke and Professor Uwe Wirth.

In this double presentation Uwe Wirth will at first explore the theoretical implications of different approaches towards frames before Thomas Meinecke will talk about the relevance of framing processes for his work as an author whose unique writing style is not only characterized by transforming academic discourse into literature but also by a DJ-like technique of sampling and mixing.

In his book Frame-Analysis, Erving Goffman stated that processes of framing and frame switching are crucial for any “background understanding for events” in order to find out the following: “What is it that’s going on here?” With the theoretical considerations of Niklas Luhmann and Jacques Derrida about the ‘confusion of frames’ and the impact of parergonal ‘framing forces’, this question became much more complex. As it turns out, frames are paradoxical constructions, usually revealing their mode (Have frames a static existence or are they rather conceived of as dynamic processes?) and their status (Do frames belong to the inside of the frame or are they already part of the ‘outside world’ that is excluded by them?).

Thomas Meinecke is the author of seven novels, all of which use an innovative writing technique similar to music sampling. This approach allows him to deal with a variety of topics, from popular culture, music, and gender roles to the German, Jewish, and African Diaspora in the United States. In addition to being an author he also plays in the experimental rock band F.S.K. (Voluntary Self-Control) and works as a radio and club DJ. Two of his novels (Tomboy and Pale Blue) are available in the U.S., published by Amazon Crossing and translated by Daniel Bowles (who is currently translating Meinecke’s last novel Lookalikes). He recently published his novel Selbst (Suhrkamp, 2016)

Uwe Wirth is Professor of Contemporary German Literature and the Study of Culture at the German Department at the Justus-Liebig-University in Giessen. His current research interests address topics such as the theories of the comic (see his Handbook Interdisciplinary Handbook on Humor, Metzler-Verlag, 2017) and processes of framing. In his “habilitation,” he reconstructed the central role of editorial fiction in German literature ‘around 1800’ (see his book Die Geburt des Autors aus dem Geist der Herausgeberfiktion. Editoriale Rahmung im Roman um 1800: Wieland, Goethe, Brentano, Jean Paul und E.T.A. Hoffmann, Fink Verlag, 2008). In his anthology Rahmenbrüche, Rahmenwechsel framing strategies in literature, art, and theater are at stake (Kadmos-Verlag, 2013).

Events at Deutsches Haus are free of charge. If you would like to attend this event, please send us an email to [email protected]. Space at Deutsches Haus is limited; please arrive ten minutes prior to the event. Thank you!

“Frame Works”
is a DAAD-sponsored event.











When: Mon., Mar. 27, 2017 at 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Where: Deutsches Haus at NYU
42 Washington Mews
212-998-8660
Price: Free
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Deutsches Haus at NYU presents a two-part lecture on “Frame Works” with the author Thomas Meineke and Professor Uwe Wirth.

In this double presentation Uwe Wirth will at first explore the theoretical implications of different approaches towards frames before Thomas Meinecke will talk about the relevance of framing processes for his work as an author whose unique writing style is not only characterized by transforming academic discourse into literature but also by a DJ-like technique of sampling and mixing.

In his book Frame-Analysis, Erving Goffman stated that processes of framing and frame switching are crucial for any “background understanding for events” in order to find out the following: “What is it that’s going on here?” With the theoretical considerations of Niklas Luhmann and Jacques Derrida about the ‘confusion of frames’ and the impact of parergonal ‘framing forces’, this question became much more complex. As it turns out, frames are paradoxical constructions, usually revealing their mode (Have frames a static existence or are they rather conceived of as dynamic processes?) and their status (Do frames belong to the inside of the frame or are they already part of the ‘outside world’ that is excluded by them?).

Thomas Meinecke is the author of seven novels, all of which use an innovative writing technique similar to music sampling. This approach allows him to deal with a variety of topics, from popular culture, music, and gender roles to the German, Jewish, and African Diaspora in the United States. In addition to being an author he also plays in the experimental rock band F.S.K. (Voluntary Self-Control) and works as a radio and club DJ. Two of his novels (Tomboy and Pale Blue) are available in the U.S., published by Amazon Crossing and translated by Daniel Bowles (who is currently translating Meinecke’s last novel Lookalikes). He recently published his novel Selbst (Suhrkamp, 2016)

Uwe Wirth is Professor of Contemporary German Literature and the Study of Culture at the German Department at the Justus-Liebig-University in Giessen. His current research interests address topics such as the theories of the comic (see his Handbook Interdisciplinary Handbook on Humor, Metzler-Verlag, 2017) and processes of framing. In his “habilitation,” he reconstructed the central role of editorial fiction in German literature ‘around 1800’ (see his book Die Geburt des Autors aus dem Geist der Herausgeberfiktion. Editoriale Rahmung im Roman um 1800: Wieland, Goethe, Brentano, Jean Paul und E.T.A. Hoffmann, Fink Verlag, 2008). In his anthology Rahmenbrüche, Rahmenwechsel framing strategies in literature, art, and theater are at stake (Kadmos-Verlag, 2013).

Events at Deutsches Haus are free of charge. If you would like to attend this event, please send us an email to [email protected]. Space at Deutsches Haus is limited; please arrive ten minutes prior to the event. Thank you!

“Frame Works”
is a DAAD-sponsored event.

Buy tickets/get more info now