Affect theory and the concept of atmosphere. Issue 1 (2nd January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Brown, Steven D.; Kanyeredzi, Ava; McGrath, Laura; Reavey, Paula; Tucker, Ian
• Is Part Of: Distinktion. Volume 20:Issue 1(2019)
• Page Start: 5
• Page End: 24
• Publication Date: 2019-01-02
• Subjects: Feelings -- Gernot Böhme -- attunement -- tuned space -- stimmung -- forensic mental health services -- affordances; Social sciences -- Periodicals; Social sciences -- Philosophy -- Periodicals; Social history -- Periodicals; 300
• DOI: 10.1080/1600910X.2019.1586740
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1600-910X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The concept of atmosphere is a way of emplacing affect and affect theory. Work in contemporary social geography has done much to demonstrate how elemental forces become enveloped in atmospheres. However, it tends to under-theorise the role of historically structured socio-cultural forces and the modes of engagement of persons with the atmospheric. In this paper we identify core themes in the literature – the inbetweeness of atmospheres, tuning space, the folding of space-times and modes of engagement. We then develop these themes further through an encounter with work in anthropology, architecture and ecological psychology. Reflections on fieldwork in a medium-secure forensic psychiatric hospital are then used to illustrate the application of atmospheric thinking to a particular setting. We conclude with a call for a renewed 'ontographic imagination'.