The term pattern is ubiquitous and undertheorized: it can suggest regularity, as well as change, surface phenomena as well as deep structural connections. Observations about the alluring ambiguity of “patterns” have been made in the social sciences, media studies, cognitive science, digital humanities, the history of science and knowledge and other fields. The purpose of this workshop is not to narrow this semantic diversity but to explore the conceptual and aesthetic affordances of pattern as a figure of knowledge. How does pattern function as a symbolic form, (proto)concept or metadisciplinary shifter within and across disciplines, and what kinds of knowledge does it generate? How does the current fascination with patterns reflect (post)digital culture, and how can the conceptual history of the term in the natural and human sciences since the late 19^th century illuminate its current impact and transformations in the contexts of digital pattern recognition and AI?

The organizers and speakers warmly welcome participation of all researchers, scholars and artists with an interest in patterns and aim to explore possibilities for further collaboration on topics related to the allure of patterns.

Programme