The aim is to illustrate through a series of images the phenomenology of space in Buffy the Vampire Slayer (BtVS) throughout its seven seasons. The presentation builds on Karen Sayer’s “It wasn’t our world anymore –they made it theirs. Reading Space and Place” (in Reading the Vampire Slayer) and through four new themes examines the concept of poetic space in BtVS.

Therefore, four themes (5 minutes each) using slides to illustrate each theme:

·The key inspiration for this presentation is Gaston Bachelard’s The Poetics of Space, (Beacon Press, 1994), therefore, I will start with a look at the phenomenology of poetic space in Buffy’s house, from the attic to the basement throughout the different seasons, and then specifically concentrate on Season Seven linking the idea of the House & the Universe in the great ending of the Buffy narrative. Theme also inspired by Holly G. Barbaccia´s “Buffy in the ‘Terrible House’” (Slayage 4)

·Season Six witnessed the near shattering of Buffy’s identity (Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Philosophy, p.57). Show how the poetics of space in this season reflect the interior maze of her soul. Season Six as a stage for her agony. The poetics of Buffy’s soul as theatre in Season Six (“Normal Again”). Link also to the theatricalization of her sexuality, s-m relationship with Spike as theatre (see Susan Sontag’s “Fascinating Fascism” in Under the Sign of Saturn, Vintage, 1996, pp.73-105.)

·Dreaming and the cartographies of fear and avoidance as seen in the use of the labyrinth. Robert A. Davis’ “Buffy the Vampire Slayer and The Pedagogy of Fear” (Slayage 3) idea of charting BtVS’s use of gothic horrors expanded to add the surrealistic aesthetic of dreaming and fear. The point of departure is “Fear Manifest” (Season 4) & links the idea of labyrinth to “Restless” (Season 4) and Nightmares (Season 1). Theme inspired also by The Architecture of Fear, Nan Ellin editor (Princeton Architecture Press, 1997) & Donald Keller´s “Spirit Guides and Shadow Selves: From the Dream Life of Buffy (and Faith)” in Fighting the Forces.

·Finally, following on from an exploration of this poetic dream space, move on to a more mythic space. Season Five’s sacrificial tower will set this discussion off. C.W. Marshall in “Aeneas the Vampire Slayer” (Slayage 9) identifies a Christ-like imagery, however, the Tarot-like imagery, provides a richer more inclusive imagery, which charts the poetic space of the hero’s journey. Theme also inspired by David Lavery’s “Apocalyptic Apocalypses: The Narrative Eschatology of Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (Slayage 9).

AUDIOVISUAL REQUEST: Slide Projector