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Aesthetics of Solidarity by Arab American and Arab/SWANA Diaspora Artists in the US, 1948–Present

Type: Calls For Papers [View all]
Posted by: Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Deadline: Thu, August 1st, 2024

 

 

 

This conference interrogates the way that Arab American and Arab/SWANA diaspora artists use their work to highlight contemporary injustices and show solidarity withthose facingsociopolitical challenges. Specifically, we consider solidarity from an aesthetic perspective while redefining solidarity within a creative, transnational context. Temporally, this inquiry is framed by the 1948 Nakba and concludes with contemporary events, encompassing decades that witnessed the triumphs of decolonization and the disasters of dispossession. Furthermore, this transnational context welcomes perspectives that address thebroader SWANA diaspora, as well as Muslim and non-Muslim diasporas. By redressing this absence around the aesthetics of solidarity, this conference endeavors to catalyze further development of the field.

We invite 15–20 minute papers as well as prearranged panels that consider any aspect of artistic practice, broadly defined to encompass visual art, material culture, literature, music, and theatre, connected to solidarities. Case studies may theorize or historicize solidarity in its broadest sense or explore works by individual artists/makers. Of greatest interest are papers that explore solidarity in transnational contexts attentive to the transgression of racial, political, ethnic, religious, social, and ideological boundaries in the name of collective struggles and liberation.

Interested presenters should submit an abstract (250-300 words), a CV, and a short biographical note (150 words or less) to the following Google form by August 1, 2024: https://forms.gle/uCBie7ERuomhBwAH9. For those who wish to submit a prearranged panel, please provide a short panel abstract (300-350 words) and the names of confirmed participants with paper titles. Questions should be directed to Rachel Winter at winterr6@msu.edu.

April 9–12, 2025 – In person at Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI

Organizational Sponsors: Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum at Michigan State University,
Michigan State University Muslim Studies Program, Association for Modern +Contemporary Art of the Arab World, Iran, and Turkey (AMCA), Michigan State University Global Studies in the Arts and Humanities, Michigan State University Center for Gender in a Global Context, The Nabil Kanso Estate, Arab American National Museum

 

Posted on Mon, April 29th, 2024
Expires on Thu, August 1st, 2024

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