Symposium on Politics and Aesthetics Taking Abstract Submissions From Students Through March 16
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 9, 2018) — The University of Kentucky Student Organization for Art History will present its first symposium, “Politics and Aesthetics: An Interdisciplinary View,” later this year. The organization will take abstract submissions for the symposium from UK students across several fields of study through March 16, 2018.
In today’s sociopolitical climate — where protesters regularly take to the streets with visually striking signs that claim their right to representation and to fight discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion and nationality — the political potential of aesthetics demands attention. Furthermore, as powerful politicians deploy images on social media with the aim of manipulating their followers, the role of aesthetics in politics has become a vital issue to consider.
The intention of “Politics and Aesthetics” is to address the question: What role does aesthetics, with its emphasis on nature, representation and subjectivity, play in today’s political climate? Submissions for the 2018 symposium may address such topics as:
- visual culture of resistance;
- political representations of gender, sexuality, nationality, ethnicity and race;
- social media and technology;
- politics of performance;
- critical spatial practices in art, design and architecture;
- graphical strategies in politics;
- critical theory and aesthetic philosophy;
- relationships between art and activism;
- aesthetic tactics of minor histories and experiences; and
- politicizing popular culture.
The UK Student Organization for Art History will accept submissions for “Politics and Aesthetics” from both undergraduate and graduate scholars in art history/visual studies, gender and women’s studies, philosophy, theatre and dance, music, film studies, design, architecture, cultural studies, and other related humanities fields at UK.
Interested applicants should submit abstracts no longer than 300 words to UK Student Organization for Art History at uksofah@gmail.com with the subject “2018 Symposium.” Submissions should include the applicant’s name, proposed title of the paper, and applicant’s field of study. Applicants may also include a curriculum vitae/résumé, but it is not required. Deadline for submissions is Friday, March 16, 2018.
The Student Organization for Art History (SOfAH)’s mission is to provide outside-of-the-classroom resources and networking opportunities for art history and visual studies (AH/VS) students at UK School of Art and Visual Studies.
The School of Art and Visual Studies, at the UK College of Fine Arts, is an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design and offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in the fields of art studio, art history and visual studies, art education, and digital media and design.