Call for papers: Vilnius Academy of Arts conference

The conference seeks to explore transcontinental cultural relations, representations and imaginations that occurred and developed between African countries and Eastern and Central Europe during the Cold War era (CEE). Participants should explore the formation of cultural relations between the regions or particular states. Accepted papers will be considered for publication in peer-reviewed academic journal Acta Academiae Artium Vilnensis (2023 issue).

The call is designed for artists, scholars and curators working in the fields of musicology, art history, cultural studies, art, architecture, design, fashion, literary studies, cinema and theatre, and other disciplines.

Potential topics could include but are not limited to:

• The discourse of colonisation/decolonisation/post-colonisation in art, art history and cultural history: African and Central and Eastern Europe perspectives.
• Transcontinental cultural relations, migration of artists, artworks, artefacts and ideas.
• The images, dreams, and delusions of CEE in African countries.
• The representation and reception of Africa in CEE countries.
• The Soviet Union/US struggle for influence in Africa: reflections, connections, parallels and contrasts in art, design and architecture.
• Members of the Black diaspora as ambassadors of modernisation in CEE.
• The process of ‘othering’ and cultural appropriations of African/CEE cultures.
• Issues of whiteness and race in CEE.
• Curating African art collections in CEE museums.
• Artworks of CEE artists, designers and architects in Africa: heritage, research, curatorship.

“This conference aims to fill the lacuna of knowledge about both the actual and imaginary cultural links between Central-Eastern Europe and the African continent during the Cold War era,” VAA said. “It proposes a reconsideration of whether and to what extent artistic exchanges between these non-Western contexts might escape historically developed power relations between Europe and Africa and its role in postcolonial and decolonial debates.”

Participants should send a 300-word abstract of their proposed paper and a short biography to Karina Simonson via email at karina.simonson@vda.lt.

The submission deadline is 20 June, and the selected participants will be notified on 30 June.

View the original call here.