Academic Sessions: Exeter 1998
The Structures and Narratives of National Identity Formation
Conveners:
Dr Michelle Facos (Indiana University) and Dr Sharon Hirsh (Dickinson College)
In late 19th and early 20th century Europe, nations were preoccupied with the definition of national identity. This was generally based on the 'Germanic' kinship or ethnic model, rather than the 'French' consensus model. Consequently, it posited a substantial degree of homogeneity among its membership. These common qualities could include events of history, folklore, myth, language, traditions, religion, values, physiology, or geography. Artists tried to embody and communicate these qualities in a variety of ways. They often chose imagery construed as ineluctably native in order to evoke a common emotional response in their compatriot-viewers. Furthermore, some artists tried to convey a specific intracultural message subliminally by means of a carefully constructed pictorial language.
Papers in this session will look at the visual culture of evolving notions of national identity in Europe. They will illuminate the particular agendas to which artists subscribed and examine the ways in which they tried to further them. They will also address the ways in which these works related to the socio-political milieu in which they were produced. Papers examining single works, nationalist art movements, or the theoretical/political issues involved are welcome, as are interdisciplinary approaches to the problem.
Proposals for papers should be sent to the conveners at the following addresses:
Dr Michelle Facos, Department of History of Art, FA 132, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47401, USA
Fax: (812) 8455 9556; Email: mfacos@indiana.edu.
Dr Sharon Hirsh, Dept of Fine Arts, Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA 17013, USA.
Fax: (717) 245 1937; Email: hirsh@dickinson.edu
Dr Michelle Facos (Indiana University) and Dr Sharon Hirsh (Dickinson College)
In late 19th and early 20th century Europe, nations were preoccupied with the definition of national identity. This was generally based on the 'Germanic' kinship or ethnic model, rather than the 'French' consensus model. Consequently, it posited a substantial degree of homogeneity among its membership. These common qualities could include events of history, folklore, myth, language, traditions, religion, values, physiology, or geography. Artists tried to embody and communicate these qualities in a variety of ways. They often chose imagery construed as ineluctably native in order to evoke a common emotional response in their compatriot-viewers. Furthermore, some artists tried to convey a specific intracultural message subliminally by means of a carefully constructed pictorial language.
Papers in this session will look at the visual culture of evolving notions of national identity in Europe. They will illuminate the particular agendas to which artists subscribed and examine the ways in which they tried to further them. They will also address the ways in which these works related to the socio-political milieu in which they were produced. Papers examining single works, nationalist art movements, or the theoretical/political issues involved are welcome, as are interdisciplinary approaches to the problem.
Proposals for papers should be sent to the conveners at the following addresses:
Dr Michelle Facos, Department of History of Art, FA 132, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47401, USA
Fax: (812) 8455 9556; Email: mfacos@indiana.edu.
Dr Sharon Hirsh, Dept of Fine Arts, Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA 17013, USA.
Fax: (717) 245 1937; Email: hirsh@dickinson.edu