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Call for Papers

 

Unruly Visions: Art, Activism and Intersectionality in East Asia

(University of Oxford, UK)

 

5–7 December 2024

 

 

In recent years, the intersection of gender, art and activism has emerged as a dynamic field of enquiry, providing a platform for critical discussions on the complexities of social justice and equality. Unruly Visions: Art, Activism and Intersectionality in East Asia aims to explore and unpack the multifaceted dimensions of this intersection in the East Asian context, in particular, China, Japan and Korea. By adopting a translocal perspective, the conference seeks to bridge shared intersectional conditions across East Asia while acknowledging the importance of context-specific histories that shape the experiences of diverse communities. This conference is therefore interdisciplinary in nature. Keynote speakers include Professor Ming Tiampo (Carleton University) and Professor Meiqin Wang (California State University).

 

The conference is generously supported by the National Center for Art Research Japan, Japan House London and the Nissan Institute for Japanese Studies at the University of Oxford.

 

Young Scholars Panel 1: Gender, Art and Activism in Japan

 

Young scholars, researchers, and practitioners are invited to submit abstracts for this academic panel exploring the intersections of gender, art and activism in Japan. This panel seeks to illuminate how artistic expressions and activist endeavours shape and are shaped by gender dynamics within Japanese society. We welcome submissions from diverse disciplines, including but not limited to, art history, gender studies, sociology, cultural studies and political science.

Potential topics include:

●       Historical and contemporary analysis of feminist art movements in Japan

●       Gender representation in Japanese visual arts, literature and media

●       The role of art in LGBTQ+ activism and advocacy in Japan

●       Case studies of artists and activists challenging gender norms and stereotypes

●       Intersectional approaches to understanding gender, class, and ethnicity in Japanese art and activism

●       Comparative studies between Japanese and global perspectives on gender and art activism

We encourage contributions that offer innovative methodologies, critical insights, and interdisciplinary perspectives. Submissions should address how gender, art and activism contribute to social change and cultural production in Japan.

 

Young Scholars Panel 2: Ecology and Gender

 

This panel seeks to examine how artists from East Asia engage with ecological concerns, gender identities, and the relationship between the two in their work. We invite young scholars, researchers, artists and activists to submit abstracts that challenge traditional boundaries, address issues of environmental justice and highlight the gendered dimensions of ecological crises. Selected papers will contribute to a broader dialogue on the role of art in shaping ecological consciousness and gender politics in East Asia.

 

We welcome papers that address, but are not limited to, the following themes:

 

●       Gendered representations of nature and other-than-human beings in East Asia

●       Interconnections between ecological degradation, gender and other markers of identity in contemporary art

●       Analyses of eco-art initiatives or movements in East Asia

●       Case studies of artists or collectives addressing pollution, radioactivity, extreme weather phenomena, and the extinction of species, among others

●       Translocal perspectives on ecology and gender in art and visual culture

●       Eco-queer and -feminist approaches to contemporary art from East Asia

 

We encourage contributions that offer innovative methodologies, critical insights, and interdisciplinary perspectives. Submissions should address how gender, art, and ecology intersect and shape social change and artistic production in East Asia.

 

Submission Guidelines

 

Please email your proposal to unrulyvisions@gmail.com with the subject line ‘Paper Proposal for Young Scholars Panel [1 or 2]’ by 23 September 2024 (11:59 pm BST).

 

Abstracts should not exceed 300 words and include the title of the paper, the author's name, affiliation and contact information. Alongside your abstract, please submit a short CV (1–2 pages). Selected panellists will be notified by 1 October.

 

For questions or further guidance, please reach out to Maximilian Langefeld at maximilian.langefeld@history.ox.ac.uk or Minji Chun at minji.chun@history.ox.ac.uk.

 

Organising Committee

 

Minji Chun, University of Oxford

Maximilian Langefeld, University of Oxford

Xinyue Liu, University of Oxford

Dr Jason Waite, University of Helsinki