In German, the evolution of the concept "world" ("Welt") has undergone rapid change, which is illustrated in the creation of new compound nouns such as Weltgericht (last judgement), Weltgebäude (universe), Weltbürger (world citizen, cosmopolitan), Weltfrieden (world peace), Weltall (outer space), Weltbild (vision of the world), Weltanschauung (world view), Weltwissen (world knowledge), Weltgeschichte (world history), Weltzeit (world time) or Weltgesellschaft (global society). The historical development of different concepts - such as the world as cosmos, the world as horizon or one of many possible worlds - and the mapping of the world in geopolitical terms or in scientific research underline the link between representations of the world and their operating basis. The world is not only discovered, explored and visualised, but also constructed and construed.

What is essentially an underlying operating concept of the world has been prominently represented by system theoretical descriptions of global society and network theory. The distribution and circulation of representations, which happens via exchange, comparison and copying, creates structures and expectations which position actions, interactions and communications in a worldwide sphere of possibilities. Due to the essential role of representations, an exploration of the various media, forms of representation and types of operation (written, spoken, visual, numerical) is required. The historic and systematic understanding of the world influences what is perceived as "world" and what is expected to potentially happen in this world - or possibly in one of many worlds.

The conference "How images create the world" will focus on the core question of the significance of images, visualisations and modes of illustrations for the exploration and construction of the world as well as for concepts, semantics and representations of the world. The event, taking place at the Schaulager Basel from 17 – 19 November 2011, wants to explore the link between questions of how images create understanding and operative concepts of the world as well as potential consequences of this link in terms of visual and social theory.