The last few decades have witnessed a proliferation of approaches and methods influenced by queer theory within the humanities. Simultaneously, both academics and the general public have become increasingly interested in “queer art” especially in the field of modern and contemporary art. Yet while scholars have assembled queer theory into an academic discourse and perhaps even a discipline, internal debates continually redefine the parameters and stakes of the term. However, the ways in which queer theory has and could further influence art historical methods and projects has yet to be properly explored, particularly within a transhistorical context. How does looking through the lens of queer theory shift our relationship to the object of inquiry? What is art history if history is queered? Moreover, how does queer theory relate to prior art historical engagements with gender and sexuality? This conference will offer a platform for many different voices to work through these and related issues. As we raise these questions, we also ask: What are the limitations or possibilities of ‘queer’ as it relates to analyses of race, economic position, and the political?
Keynote lecture by Heather K. Love, Associate Professor of English, University of Pennsylvania: “Underdogs: On the Deviance Studies Roots of Queer Theory.”
The symposium is organized by Erich Kessel, PhD Candidate, Yale University; Christopher T. Richards, PhD Candidate, Institute of Fine Arts; and Ksenia M. Soboleva PhD Candidate, Institute of Fine Arts.
Please click here for the full schedule of events and more information.
Please note that seating in the Lecture Hall is on a first-come, first-served basis with RSVP. There will be a simulcast in an adjacent room to accommodate overflow. Latecomers are not guaranteed a seat.
Friday, March 1, 2019
The Institute of Fine Arts, NYU
1 East 78th Street Lecture Hall
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Saturday, March 2, 2019
The Institute of Fine Arts, NYU
1 East 78th Street Lecture Hall
9:30 am – 5:00 pm