CFP: Aesthetics as Narration and Meta-Narration

The Conference is dedicated to reflection on aesthetics as narration and meta-narration. Contemporary aesthetics does not limit itself to the narrow spectrum of its traditional problems and interests. On the contrary, last decades were marked by intensifying processes of aestheticization of everyday life that resulted in extending the range of objects and phenomena apprehended by this discipline. Consequently, we also observe an inner diversity of theoretical perspectives on these new issues in aesthetics as well as on traditional ones. This polyphony can be interpreted as its weakness, when what is underlined is the lack of consent as to its fundamental problems and common understanding of its basic notions, as well as lack of commonly accepted method of inquiry. However, it can also be perceived as its value, since it reveals the simultaneous validity of various narrations. Nevertheless, it seems that despite this variety there still remains a hypothetical possibility of creating a synthetic concept of aesthetics or its universal narration; or, perhaps, aesthetics itself can become a meta-narration of the new, emerging formation of contemporary culture. We wish to invite aestheticians, philosophers of art, as well as art historians and critics, literary theorists, artists, but also anthropologists, cultural theorists, sociologists, political and educational theorists, and psychologists to reflect upon these ideas. We wish to open the forum to everyone who include into their research aesthetic aspect. The Conference will also give voice to students and young researchers interested in aesthetics.

The proposed topics are the following:

I. First block

• 1. Ethics and morality in art and of art.
• 2. Art and construction of identity.
• 3. Art and globalization.
• 4. Possibilities and forms of political and social engagement of art.

II. Second block

• 5. Nature as aesthetic phenomenon.
• 6. From theory of beauty to theory of art.
• 7. Transfigurations of aesthetic and artistic values.

III. Third block

• 8. Art and beauty in everyday life.
• 9. Mass art, popular art, culture industry.
• 10. Spaces of aestheticization: design, city, fashion, science etc.)
• 11. Aesthetics of new technology: net art, intermedia, multimedia etc.
• 12. Word, sound, image: correspondence of the arts.
• 13. Meta-criticism of art – artistic criticism.

The first day of the Conference will have international character and will be organized in cooperation with the circle of “ESTETIKA: The Central European Journal of Aesthetics”. We invite proposals in English.

The second day will embrace the same topics and we invite proposals in Polish. Also the general assembly of Polish Society of Aesthetics will take place during the second day of the Conference. We believe that it is important to create a friendly environment for young researchers (MA and PhD students), therefore we plan to propose a panel for them in the form of competition for the best student’s essay. This will complete the first stage of student's essay competition organized by “ESTETIKA: The Central European Journal of Aesthetics”. 

Proposals are welcome both in English and in Polish.

Contact: [email protected]