87 research outputs found
A transversely isotropic viscohyperelastic material: application to the modelling of biological soft connective tissues
No full textA general transversely isotropic viscohyperelastic constitutive law including strain rate effects was proposed. It is based on a definition of a general Helmholtz free energy function which depends explicitly on the right Cauchy–Green deformation tensor, its material time derivative and a structural tensor characterizing the preferred direction from which anisotropy arises. The elastic and viscous potentials that defined the free energy function were assumed to be decoupled, thus facilitating the identification process. This law was valid for arbitrary kinematics and aimed at modeling the mechanical behavior of biological soft tissues at high strain rates and at the finite strain regime. This is of high relevance for dynamic analyses of human occupants in car crash simulations (finite element analyses) and for situations where dynamic loads are significant (sport injury, etc). Explicit expression of the stress, elasticity and viscosity tensors were established. As an application of the constitutive law, the general expressions of the stress tensors were particularized for a specific Helmholtz free energy function describing the mechanical characteristics of the human anterior cruciate ligament. The constitutive model was shown to capture the strain rate effects and other essential characteristics of ligaments such as finite strain, anisotropy and nearly incompressibility. The model was also tested for various multi-axial loading situations
A constitutive model for the periodontal ligament as a compressible transversely isotropic visco-hyperelastic tissue
No full textThis study is devoted to the development of a non-linear anisotropic model for the human periodontal ligament (PDL). A thorough knowledge of the behaviour of the PDL is vital in understanding the mechanics of orthodontic tooth mobility, soft tissue response and proposed treatment plans. There is considerable evidence that the deformation of the PDL is the key factor determining the orthodontic tooth movement. The paper focuses on the biomechanical aspect of the behaviour of the PDL. In terms of continuous mechanics, the PDL may be treated as an anisotropic poro-visco-hyperelastic fibre-reinforced compressible material which is subject to large deformations and has an essentially non-linear behaviour. Furthermore, there are issues related to the non-linear tooth and PDL geometry. A new constitutive model for the PDL is proposed. The macroscopic continuum approach is used. The model is based on the non-linear large deformation theory, involving the Lagrangian description. The material is assumed to be compressible, visco-hyperelastic and transversely isotropic. A free-energy function is suggested that incorporates the properties. It also takes into account that the PDL behaves differently in tension and compression. The free-energy function and the associated constitutive equations involve several material parameters, which are to be evaluated from experimental strain-stress data available from the literature and the tooth movement experiments conducted by our team using novel optical motion analysis techniques
An elastomeric material for facial prostheses: synthesis, experimental and numerical testing aspects
No full textCurrent materials used for maxillofacial prostheses are far from ideal and there is a need for new improved materials which better simulate the tissues they are replacing. This study was based on a mixed experimental/analytical/numerical approach. A new polymeric material was developed to provide a better alternative to the materials currently used in maxillofacial prosthetics. A series of experimental tensile tests were performed in order to characterise the tensile properties of the material. A Mooney–Rivlin type hyperelastic formulation was chosen to describe the constitutive behaviour of the polymer which operates at the finite strain regime. The material parameters (two) of the constitutive law were identified with the experimental data. The Mooney–Rivlin material was found to be suitable to represent accurately the mechanical behaviour of the polymer up to 50% strain as shown by the excellent agreement between analytical and experimental results. An FE model reproducing all the characteristics of the experimental tensile tests was built and a series of three FE analyses were conducted and has proven the proper finite element implementation of the material model. This preliminary study will serve as a basis to introduce more complex features such as viscoelasticity and wrinkling of the soft polymeric structure in order to optimise the performances of the final prosthetic material
The German Occupation in recent French fiction : an analysis of the literary “mode retro”
No full textThis thesis attempts to analyse and characterise the mode rétro, the remarkable renewal of interest in the German Occupation of France, which is coloured by an extensive re-evaluation of the period's significance. An introduction places this fashion in its literary, social and historical context, revealing how, from 1940 to 1969, a collective and predominantly Gaullist 'myth' of the Resistance became established, with the result that the national response to invasion was accepted to be one of wide-spread heroism and revolt. Part I studies the reaction to such résistancialisme, showing how this orthodox interpretation of events was undermined and, for many, discredited, and offering explanations of the timing and direction of the new view. Part II focuses on the fiction, memoirs, autobiographies and biographies of the younger authors, those who have no direct adult experience of the années noires. It is suggested that their obvious obsession with absent parent-figures reflects their awareness that the past has been misrepresented and their heritage rendered problematic. Their sole means of escape from this predicament, their only source of emotional relief is seen to lie in the creation of a personal account of the early 1940s running contrary to the prevalent orthodoxy, the fabrication of a 'counter-myth'. It is thus the notion of myth which links the various sections of the survey, and so gives the thesis its overall unity
Le "sacré noir" chez Georges Bataille et Hubert Aquin
No full textThèse de doctorat réalisée en cotutelle entre l'Université Paris IV Sorbonne et l'Université de MontréalDes affinités rapprochent l’œuvre d’Hubert Aquin et celle de Georges Bataille. Ces deux auteurs explorent une voie mystique présentant de fortes similitudes, apparentée à ce que Roger Caillois appelle le « sacré gauche », c’est-à-dire le sacré impur, maléfique, dont l’accès serait donné selon Georges Bataille par la transgression, et qui correspondrait, pour reprendre l’expression bataillienne, au « moment privilégié d’unité communielle ». L’objectif de l’auteur français est de dégager l’expérience mystique de ses antécédents religieux et de rendre le phénomène de l’extase accessible à tous. La sortie de soi est rendue possible par la communication, qui implique la rupture de son intégrité et de celle d’autrui. Bien que provenant d’un horizon culturel différent, Hubert Aquin théorise également et met en scène dans et par le récit une certaine forme d’«extrême du possible » qui s’avère très proche de « l’impossible » bataillien. Cette thèse se propose de montrer en quoi les théories de « l’expérience intérieure » et de l’érotisme de Bataille éclairent tant les essais que le Journal, les romans, récits et nouvelles d’Aquin, nous amenant par la même occasion à définir les particularités de la voie mystique empruntée par l’auteur québécois, et aussi, plus généralement et plus fondamentalement, de souligner deux façons différentes d’appréhender et de vivre le refus de la transcendance : l’une, celle de Georges Bataille, qui consiste à embrasser à corps perdu la perte de Dieu et de soimême dans un formidable éclat de rire, et l’autre, celle d’Hubert Aquin, qui réside dans le tiraillement incessant et douloureux entre ce qui éloigne du Christ et ce qui rapproche de Lui. Le premier chapitre de la thèse est théorique ; il est consacré aux trois concepts qui régissent l’ensemble de notre analyse : le mysticisme, le sacré et l’érotisme. La singularité de la nouvelle théologie mystique que propose Georges Bataille dans ses textes théoriques par rapport à l’expérience mystique traditionnelle fait ensuite l’objet du deuxième chapitre. Le troisième et dernier chapitre montre les points de convergence et de divergence entre l’auteur français et l’auteur québécois et met en valeur la spécificité de l’expérience de ce dernier. Comment Hubert Aquin conçoit-t-il et représente-t-il « l’extrême du possible » dans l’ensemble de son œuvre ? C’est à cette ultime question que nous tâchons de répondre.Affinities link Hubert Aquin’s and Georges Bataille’s writings. These two authors explore a mystic path, which presents strong similarities related to what Roger Caillois called «left sacred», that is to say the impure, malefic sacred, accessible to Georges Bataille by transgression, and which corresponds to the « privileged moment of communal unity ». The French author’s goal is to free the mystic experience from its religious background and to make ecstasy accessible to everybody. It is precisely by communicating that men can break their isolation and that of the others and reach ecstasy. Even if Hubert Aquin doesn’t share the same cultural background as Georges Bataille, he also theorizes and represents in his novels a form of « extreme of the possible », which is very close to the bataillian « impossible ». This thesis aims to show how Georges Bataille’s theories of «inner experience » and eroticism highlight Hubert Aquin’s essays, Journal and novels, leading us to define the peculiarities of the mystic experience explored by the author from Quebec, and more generally and fundamentally, to focus on two different ways to think and to live the refusal of transcendence: the first, that of Georges Bataille, which consists in embracing the loss of God and of ourselves in laughter, and the second one, that of Hubert Aquin, which consists in being ceaselessly and painfully torn between what takes away from the Christ and what moves closer to Him. The first chapter of the thesis is theoretical; it is dedicated to three key concepts for our whole analysis: mysticism, sacred and eroticism. The object of the second chapter is the peculiarity of the new mystic theology of Georges Bataille in his theoretical texts compared to the traditional mystic experience. The third and last chapter shows the points of convergence and the differences between the French author and the author from Quebec and emphasizes the specificity of the latter’s experience. How does Hubert Aquin conceive and represent «the extreme of the possible » in his writings? It is the ultimate question we try to answer in this thesis
Le "sacré noir" chez Georges Bataille et Hubert Aquin
No full textThèse de doctorat réalisée en cotutelle entre l'Université Paris IV Sorbonne et l'Université de MontréalDes affinités rapprochent l’œuvre d’Hubert Aquin et celle de Georges Bataille. Ces deux auteurs explorent une voie mystique présentant de fortes similitudes, apparentée à ce que Roger Caillois appelle le « sacré gauche », c’est-à-dire le sacré impur, maléfique, dont l’accès serait donné selon Georges Bataille par la transgression, et qui correspondrait, pour reprendre l’expression bataillienne, au « moment privilégié d’unité communielle ». L’objectif de l’auteur français est de dégager l’expérience mystique de ses antécédents religieux et de rendre le phénomène de l’extase accessible à tous. La sortie de soi est rendue possible par la communication, qui implique la rupture de son intégrité et de celle d’autrui. Bien que provenant d’un horizon culturel différent, Hubert Aquin théorise également et met en scène dans et par le récit une certaine forme d’«extrême du possible » qui s’avère très proche de « l’impossible » bataillien. Cette thèse se propose de montrer en quoi les théories de « l’expérience intérieure » et de l’érotisme de Bataille éclairent tant les essais que le Journal, les romans, récits et nouvelles d’Aquin, nous amenant par la même occasion à définir les particularités de la voie mystique empruntée par l’auteur québécois, et aussi, plus généralement et plus fondamentalement, de souligner deux façons différentes d’appréhender et de vivre le refus de la transcendance : l’une, celle de Georges Bataille, qui consiste à embrasser à corps perdu la perte de Dieu et de soimême dans un formidable éclat de rire, et l’autre, celle d’Hubert Aquin, qui réside dans le tiraillement incessant et douloureux entre ce qui éloigne du Christ et ce qui rapproche de Lui. Le premier chapitre de la thèse est théorique ; il est consacré aux trois concepts qui régissent l’ensemble de notre analyse : le mysticisme, le sacré et l’érotisme. La singularité de la nouvelle théologie mystique que propose Georges Bataille dans ses textes théoriques par rapport à l’expérience mystique traditionnelle fait ensuite l’objet du deuxième chapitre. Le troisième et dernier chapitre montre les points de convergence et de divergence entre l’auteur français et l’auteur québécois et met en valeur la spécificité de l’expérience de ce dernier. Comment Hubert Aquin conçoit-t-il et représente-t-il « l’extrême du possible » dans l’ensemble de son œuvre ? C’est à cette ultime question que nous tâchons de répondre.Affinities link Hubert Aquin’s and Georges Bataille’s writings. These two authors explore a mystic path, which presents strong similarities related to what Roger Caillois called «left sacred», that is to say the impure, malefic sacred, accessible to Georges Bataille by transgression, and which corresponds to the « privileged moment of communal unity ». The French author’s goal is to free the mystic experience from its religious background and to make ecstasy accessible to everybody. It is precisely by communicating that men can break their isolation and that of the others and reach ecstasy. Even if Hubert Aquin doesn’t share the same cultural background as Georges Bataille, he also theorizes and represents in his novels a form of « extreme of the possible », which is very close to the bataillian « impossible ». This thesis aims to show how Georges Bataille’s theories of «inner experience » and eroticism highlight Hubert Aquin’s essays, Journal and novels, leading us to define the peculiarities of the mystic experience explored by the author from Quebec, and more generally and fundamentally, to focus on two different ways to think and to live the refusal of transcendence: the first, that of Georges Bataille, which consists in embracing the loss of God and of ourselves in laughter, and the second one, that of Hubert Aquin, which consists in being ceaselessly and painfully torn between what takes away from the Christ and what moves closer to Him. The first chapter of the thesis is theoretical; it is dedicated to three key concepts for our whole analysis: mysticism, sacred and eroticism. The object of the second chapter is the peculiarity of the new mystic theology of Georges Bataille in his theoretical texts compared to the traditional mystic experience. The third and last chapter shows the points of convergence and the differences between the French author and the author from Quebec and emphasizes the specificity of the latter’s experience. How does Hubert Aquin conceive and represent «the extreme of the possible » in his writings? It is the ultimate question we try to answer in this thesis
“Black sacred” in Georges Bataille’s and Hubert Aquin’s writings
No full textDes affinités rapprochent l’oeuvre d’Hubert Aquin et celle de Georges Bataille. Ces deux auteurs explorent une voie mystique présentant de fortes similitudes, apparentée à ce que Roger Caillois appelle le « sacré gauche », c’est-à-dire le sacré impur, maléfique, dont l’accès serait donné selon Georges Bataille par la transgression, et qui correspondrait, pour reprendre l’expression bataillienne, au « moment privilégié d’unité communielle ». L’objectif de l’auteur français est de dégager l’expérience mystique de ses antécédents religieux et de rendre le phénomène de l’extase accessible à tous. La sortie de soi est rendue possible par la communication, qui implique la rupture de son intégrité et de celle d’autrui. Bien que provenant d’un horizon culturel différent, Hubert Aquin théorise également et met en scène dans et par le récit une certaine forme d’« extrême du possible » qui s’avère très proche de « l’impossible » bataillien. Cette thèse se propose de montrer en quoi les théories de « l’expérience intérieure » et de l’érotisme de Bataille éclairent tant les essais que le Journal, les romans, récits et nouvelles d’Aquin, nous amenant par la même occasion à définir les particularités de la voie mystique empruntée par l’auteur québécois, et aussi, plus généralement et plus fondamentalement, de souligner deux façons différentes d’appréhender et de vivre le refus de la transcendance : l’une, celle de Georges Bataille, qui consiste à embrasser à corps perdu la perte de Dieu et de soi-même dans un formidable éclat de rire, et l’autre, celle d’Hubert Aquin, qui réside dans le tiraillement incessant et douloureux entre ce qui éloigne du Christ et ce qui rapproche de Lui. Le premier chapitre de la thèse est théorique ; il est consacré aux trois concepts qui régissent l’ensemble de notre analyse : le mysticisme, le sacré et l’érotisme. C’est ensuite la singularité de la nouvelle théologie mystique que propose Georges Bataille dans ses textes théoriques par rapport à l’expérience mystique traditionnelle qui fait l’objet du deuxième chapitre. Le troisième et dernier chapitre met en valeur la spécificité de l’expérience de l’auteur québécois : comment Hubert Aquin conçoit-t-il et représente-t-il « l’extrême du possible » dans l’ensemble de son oeuvre ? C’est à cette question que nous tâchons de répondre.Affinities gather Hubert Aquin’s and Georges Bataille’s writings. These two authors explore a mystic way wich presents strong similarities, related to what Roger Caillois called « left sacred», that is to say the impure, malefic sacred, accessible to Georges Bataille by transgression, and which corresponds to the « privileged moment of communal unity ». The French author’s goal is to free the mystic experience from its religious background and to make ecstasy accessible to everybody. It is precisely by communicating that men can break their isolation and that of the others and reach ecstasy. Even if Hubert Aquin hasn’t the same cultural background than Georges Bataille, he also theorizes and represents in his novels a form of « extreme of the possible », which is very close to the bataillian « impossible ». This thesis aims to show how Georges Bataille’s theories of « inner experience » and eroticism highlight Hubert Aquin’s essays, Journal and novels, leading us to define the pecularities of the mystic way explored by the author from Quebec, and more generally and fundamentally, to focus on two different ways to think and to live the refusal of transcendence : the first, that of Georges Bataille, which consists in embracing the loss of God and ourself laughing, and the second one, that of Hubert Aquin, which consists in being ceaselessly and painfully torn between what takes away from the Christ and what moves closer to Him. The first chapter of the thesis is theoretical ; it is dedicated to three key concepts for our whole analysis : mysticism, sacred and eroticism. The object of the second chapter is the peculiarity of the new mystic theology of Georges Bataille in his theoretical texts compared to the traditional mystic experience. The third and last chapter emphasizes the specificity of the author from Quebec’s experience. How does Hubert Aquin conceive and represent « the extreme of the possible » in his writings ? It is to this question we try to answer
Rehearsing Reality: An Interactive Docufragmentary Exploration of the Theatre of the Oppressed's Engagement with the Brazilian Landless Movement (MST)
No full textThis thesis explores the Theatre of the Oppressed's practices at the point of interaction with peasants of Brazil's Landless Movement. It uses the interactive docufragmentary entitled Rehearsing Reality to explore the social and political role of art, and to ask whether particular applications of theatre and film can be used to understand and possibly transform points of view and raise consciousness about contemporary issues in the world.
The Theatre of the Oppressed created by Augusto Boal comprises a series of interactive games, exercises and other theatrical methods developed with the purpose of using these drama techniques as a subjective medium contributing both to question and search alternatives for personal and social problems. Amongst its theatrical methods is Forum Theatre, the main practice adopted by Brazil's Landless Movement. This technique breaks with the conventions of the traditional language of theatre. Its main aim is to transform passive audiences into active participants of a theatrical scene. This thesis argues that Forum Theatre is an open medium that offers people the chance to participate democratically in the theatrical space in order to suggest and rehearse new ideas to be applied into their lives.
In order to explore how these theatrical experiences work in practice this thesis includes a central element entitled Rehearsing Reality, which is specifically designed to adapt some of the main features from Forum Theatre to film language. Its aim is to activate viewers to interact with the film process. This thesis also explores the historical developments of the Theatre of the Oppressed with major emphasis on Forum Theatre and its practices amongst members of Brazil's Landless Movement living in camps and settlements in the hinterland of Sergipe State, North-East of Brazil.
The structure of the thesis is divided into five parts: Chapter One analyses the relevant literature on the subject; Chapter Two provides a reflective account of the filming period; Chapter Three offers an overview of Boal' s life and the development of the Theatre of the Oppressed methods; Chapter Four briefly looks at the history and development of the Brazilian Landless Movement and provides a practical analysis of the experiences of Theatre of the Oppressed amongst the Landless Movement and Chapter Five analyses the creative process of making the docufragmentary Rehearsing Reality. The Conclusion suggests that the social and political aspect of art can significantly contribute to the process of comprehension and transformation of the world
Cello techniques and performing practices in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries
No full textThis thesis comprises a study of cello performance practices throughout the nineteenth century and into the early decades of the twentieth. It is organised in terms of the increasing complexity of the concepts which it examines, as they are to be found in printed and manuscript music, instrumental methods and larger treatises, early recordings, concert reviews and pictures. Basic posture is considered along with different ways of holding the
bow. The development of the tail-pin shows that even when it was widely used, the older posture was still referred to as a model. Some implications for tone quality and tonal
projection are considered in the light of the shape of the arms. Some connections between the cellist's posture and that recommended by etiquette books are explored. The
functionality of the left hand and arm, and the development of modem scale fingerings, show that there was a considerable period of overlap between newer and older practices, with modern scale fingerings evolving over a long period of time. Similarly, views on the function of the right wrist in bowing are shown to change gradually, moving towards a more active upper arm movement with less extreme flexibility of the wrist. Two central expressive techniques especially associated with string playing arc considered in the context of the cello, namely vibrato and portamento. These topics are examined in the light of written indications in music, recommendations in cello treatises, and the practices evidenced in early recordings. The sources for this study can be brought into an overall
framework of a constant dialogue between `theory', as expressed in verbal instructions to the learner, or general a priori reflections about the cello, and `practice', manifested in performing editions and early recordings, or in individual acts of reception. A wide divergence is noted, both between theory and practice in general, and in terms of different styles of playing observable at any one time. It is suggested that tensions between practice
and critical disapproval can be resolved in terms of Lacanian discourse. Several test cases are used in order to compare several different recordings of the same works. The question of the musical character of the cello is discussed in terms of widespread assumptions about its gendered identity. A wide range of sources suggest that this moved from a straightforwardly `masculine' identity expressed through a controlling, elevated eloquence to a less clearly defined one, incorporating the 'feminine', with a greater stress on uninhibited emotional expression. Some performance implications for this change of view are pursued with respect to specific repertoires. Broad conclusions stress the importance of the diversity of performance practices as opposed to unifying generalisations
Samuel Beckett and the Writers of Port-Royal
No full textIt has been observed that ‘the literary influences on Beckett have been far more important than has been acknowledged, and more important indeed, than the philosophical influences’ (Smith 2002: 3). The truth of this statement is evidenced by the description that scholars have given of Samuel Beckett’s relationship to seventeenth century French classicism. To date, critical interest has been limited for the most part to the figure of the philosopher René Descartes on the (fragile) grounds that Beckett was exclusively concerned with the Cartesian imperative of clarity and order, the fundamental dualism between body and mind, and Nominalism.
Together with the assumption that Beckett’s vision was essentially Cartesian, his literary filiation with Pascal was suggested by critics, but only in terms of Beckett’s formal approach to the theatre. In his short article on En attendant Godot in 1953, the playwright Jean Anouilh was among the first reviewers to suggest that Beckett’s drama synthesizes the encounter between ‘classicism’ and a ‘modern’ form of art. It is well known that Beckett retained a lifelong admiration for Pascal – indeed, Pascal was one of his ‘old chestnuts’ (Knowlson 1997: 653). Little attention has been paid, however, to the originality of Pascal’s thought, the specific nature of his prose, and the impact these might have had upon Beckett’s mature work, especially the trilogy and the subsequent short prose. Yet, in the literary and philosophical context of post-war France, Beckett’s filiation with Pascal, their corresponding preoccupations, were evident to his contemporaries, who identified Pascal as an underlying presence in his works
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