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Association of Art Historians
London, Royal College of Art
April 10-12, 2014
Deadline: November 11, 2013
Convenors of Session:
Kathleen Davidson (U of Sydney)
Molly Duggins (U of Sydney)
Vast
and fluid, the oceanic spaces of empire in the 19th century inspired an
imaginative and multifaceted aesthetic discourse that intersected with colonial
and scientific expansion. From the seashore, which emerged as a site of
leisure, liminality and transgression, to the seabed, which was perceived as a
perilous but alluring frontier, marine environments captivated contemporary
practitioners and audiences alike on a local and global scale.
This
session presents a new perspective on the art and history of empire as
manifested through maritime traditions. Whereas, the oceanic imperium has been
viewed in terms of its formal presence and official exchanges across the globe
– often with regards to naval power, exploration and navigation – this session
will take a closer look at more informal imperial ocean networks. Changing
conceptions of the marine world were shaped by increased immigration and maritime trade,
steam travel, the fluid circulation of media and technology, the
diversification of science, the popularisation of rational entertainment, the
rise of spectacular exhibitionary culture, and a gender system in flux.
Taking
a comparative approach, this session will address the informal and intimate
encounters and exchanges that occurred across 19th-century empires by artists,
scientists, travellers, theorists and cultural critics, publishers, and
consumers. The panel chairs invite papers that explore how various individuals and groups
considered and negotiated the relationship between different visual, tactile
and abstract representations of the ocean environment mediated through art, science,
architecture, design, craft, text or performance.
Abstracts (max. 250 words) for papers of 25-30 minutes are to be
sent to Kathleen Davidson (k.davidson@ozemail.com.au) and to Molly Duggins (mdug3194@mail.usyd.edu.au) by November 11, 2013.
For more information on the 40th Annual Association of Art Historians conference: http://www.aah.org.uk/annual-conference/2014-conference
