Professor Jolyon Mitchell

Inaugural lecture of Professor Jolyon Mitchell, 15 September 2011.

Event details

Lecture title: " 'Swords into Ploughshares', Transforming Arms into Art"

Date: 15 September 2011, 5.15pm

Venue: Assembly Hall, New College

Lecture 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.

Lecture video