This conference will investigate the intersections of art\, morality\, \nand politics\, with particular focus on the shifting dynamic between \nthese cultural and social forces over the last fifty years. Throughout \nthe twentieth century\, the de-functionalization of art seen in radical \npractices such as Dada and Fluxus\, along with the \nsecularization of its institutions and the affirmation of its \ntransgressive role\, have loosened the ties between art and traditional \nnotions of morality. Even the aestheticised Kantian ideal of a \ncommunity of taste has been abandoned\; it seems that art\, alongside \nmorality and politics\, no longer congregate around a shared political \nproject of emancipation.
\nThe recent cases of censorship (Larry Clark\, at the Museum of Modern \nArt in Paris and David Wojnarowicz at the National Portrait Gallery in \nWashington in 2010)\, of vandalism motivated by active fundamentalism \n(Andre Serrano&rsquo\;s Piss Christ destroyed in Avignon\, France\, 2011)\,\n and the vitality of self-righteous lobbying groups against art\, suggest\n that the interactions between these three spheres are neither clearly \ndefined nor consistently controlled.
\nThis conference seeks to explore the ambiguous\, yet constant\, \nconnections between the potential influences of art and the norms or \nauthorities that engage with it. We will question both aesthetic \nautonomism and moralism in relation to art. Can art be defined as a \nclosed field structure? Should it be assessed on its own criteria \nregardless of political or moral values or should it be constrained by \nthem?
\nWithin the political sphere\, the logic of cultural policy (through \ncuratorial choices of museums\, the distribution of grants\, public \ncommissions\, etc.) reinforces the dependency of artists on the State\, \nand pits freedom of creation against the preservation of public \ninterest. With these considerations in mind\, the spaces of art become \ncharged: is the museum to be considered as part of the public space\, and\n thus be subjected to the rules of social life\, or can it be a reserved \nspace\, an area for allowed transgression? New technologies add another \nand more complex arena in which to consider these questions\, straddling \npublic and private\, virtual space partly escapes legislation and \nforcibly raises the question of what is visible and presentable.
\nReflection on the epistemological divides separating art\, morality\, \nand politics\, allows for a redefinition of the ongoing cultural \ndialogues which constitute contemporary thought. The analysis of the \nintersections of these three cultural notions will further understanding\n of the role each of them has in the community\, and contribute to \nphilosophical discourse regarding the renewal of their respective stakes\n in this new century.
\nResearchers and practitioners wishing to present their research \nduring the conference are invited to propose papers that may address the\n following themes.
\nThese suggestions are only intended to encourage the confrontation of\n normative theory with the socio-political facts in order to promote the\n interdisciplinary perspectives that such a confrontation reclaims.
\nGuidelines for submission
\nThe conference languages will be English and French. Abstract \nproposals should address a major issue related to the conference&rsquo\;s \ntopics and should be between 300 and 400 words in length. Abstracts \nshould be suitable for blind review. Submission deadline is 15 January \n2012. Notification of acceptance will be provided by 1 March 2012. Preferred format for all submissions is RTF attachment \nsubmitted by electronic mail to both Pauline Colonna d&rsquo\;Istria (p.colonnadistria@hotmail.fr)\, Florian Gaité\; (florian@floriangaite.fr) and Roberto Merrill (nrbmerrill@gmail.com) with &ldquo\;Art\, Morality\, and Politics: Submission&rdquo\; in the subject line of the email.
\nFee
\nThe conference fee is 50 &euro\; and can be paid in cash at the conference desk.
\nAccommodation
\nYou will soon find information on accommodation on the conference&rsquo\;s webpage. \nFor additional information\, please write to Pauline Colonna d&rsquo\;Istria (p.colonnadistria@hotmail.fr)\, or Florian Gaité\; (florian@floriangaite.fr)\, or Roberto Merrill (nrbmerrill@gmail.com)
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