Workshop, Visualising the Changes

Workshop Title: “Visualising the Changes”
Organised by: Friedrich Schiller University Jena (“Cultural Orientations and Social Structures in Southeastern Europe” Graduate College), the University of Erfurt, and the Collegium Hungaricum Berlin
Date: 26.11.2010 - 28.11.2010
Location: Collegium Hungaricum, Dorotheenstr. 12, 10117 Berlin
Proposal Deadline: 30.06.2010

Over twenty years have passed since the political “changes” of 1989, which brought communist rule in Eastern Europe to an end. In the anniversary year of 2009, both national and international audiences were confronted by a veritable flood of images depicting the events of 1989, the fall of the Berlin Wall being emblematic. These images recalled the
historical events, but in a way that constituted them as instances of image creation and mediation.

This raises the fundamental question of the connection between memory, the interpretation of historical events, and their visual representation; of how individuals and societies visually (re)construct history with an eye towards both the present and the past. We would like to more closely examine these particular problems at a workshop focussing on the visualisation of the political “changes” of 1989 in Eastern Europe.

We are particularly interested in conventional forms of representation such as photographs and paintings, but also in moving images such as film and video; proposals concerning three-dimensional methods of representations such as sculpture, installations, and monuments are likewise most welcome. These representations should reflect the artist or artists’ position(s) vis-à-vis the events in question, and in doing so offer a creative interpretation of history. In addition, the emphasis should be placed on representations designated as being “documentary” in character, those offering the media and other institutions a pictorial
mirror of the events of 1989.

The workshop seeks to investigate the meaning of visual representations in their dual character as both (historical) points of reference and as art objects, and to do so in a research-informed manner and in a framework beyond German borders. Workshop participants will have the opportunity to present and discuss current research projects in this area.

The workshop aims to facilitate networking and the exchange of ideas between junior researchers currently undertaking or planning to undertake research projects in the broader context of workshop’s theme of “Visualising the Changes.” At the same time the workshop seeks to provide a forum to consider methodological questions and problems.

The following topics are of particular interest:
Specifics of Visualisation: How was the sudden transformation from communism to capitalism in 1989 in individual countries visually thematised? Which images and methods of representation characterize the encounter with these events? What differences and similarities exist both within and between the various countries? Can one identify a
specific post-communist aesthetic in Eastern Europe and is there a supranational canon? If there is, which images does it include?

Art Historical and Historical Dimensions: What do visual representations return and refer back to? How can these representations be classified in art history and history? What has changed over the course of the past two decades?

The Specific Character of the Events: Which problems, difficulties, and (conversely) possibilities of visual representation are connected with the specific character of the actual events? To what extent are the terminological difficulties in giving name to the events of 1989 (alternatively referred to as a “peaceful revolution,” “turning point,” “collapse” etc.) present in visual representations?

The workshop will be opened by an introductory lecture. Workshop participants’ 15-20min presentations will be followed by discussion moderated by recognised experts. The workshop is to take place from 26-28 November 2010 in “Haus Ungarn” of the Collegium Hungaricum, Dorotheenstr. 12, 10117 Berlin.

The Call for Proposals is aimed at early career researchers in the fields of History, Art History, Communication and Media Studies, Eastern European Studies and related discipines. Travel and accommodation costs will be met by the workshop organisers. The workshop is limited to 15 people.

Interested parties should send their application, including a preliminary abstract (in German or English, 500 words maximum), a selected bibliography and brief overview of their academic background by 30 June 2010 to Ana Karaminova (anaik33@hotmail.com) und Martin Jung (euromar@gmx.net). Those wishing to attend the workshop (but not present
papers) are very welcome, but are asked to register their interest by 1 November 2010.