Photography permeates every aspect of contemporary life, serving as a tool for visual communication, personal expression, artistic creation, documentation, social engagement, and civic action. In the twenty-first century, the traditional distinctions between high and low art, as well as between art and applied practices, and among different lens-based media have become blurred over time, rendering previous museum taxonomies obsolete and posing practical challenges for professionals.
This inaugural agenda-setting workshop seeks to foster dialogue among international scholars, curators, artists, photographers, museum professionals, and archivists regarding various definitions and understandings of "photography" and its cultural significance within and beyond museum settings. Featuring presentations by invited speakers, a roundtable discussion, and breakout sessions, the workshop aims to explore diverse institutional perspectives, policies, practices, and challenges related to the collection, exhibition, and interpretation of photographic images. Insights and feedback collected from participants will shape the framework and topics of subsequent workshops.
Workshop 1: Museum Dialogues: Definitions and problems
Confirmed Speakers include:
Prof. Anna Fox, Photographer and Director of Fast Forward: Women in Photography, UK
Dr. Iro Katsaridou, Director of MOMus –Thessaloniki Museum of Photography, Greece;
Dr. Katrina Sluis, Associate Professor and Head of Photography and Media Arts, Australia National University, and artist;
Liz Wewiora, Founder of Socially Engaged Photography Network (SEPN) and Head of Social Practice at Open Eye Gallery, UK and artist.
Budi N.D. Dharmawan, Independent Photographer and Writer, Indonesia.
Museum Dialogues is a project co-ordinated by the Northern Centre of Photography at University of Sunderland, UK, with key partners MOMus – Thessaloniki Museum of Photography, Greece and MuFoCo – Museo di Fotografia Contemporanea in Cinisello Balsamo, Italy. Museum Dialogues is supported by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, Research Networking scheme.
This 12-month research network aspires to transcend the disciplinary boundaries of art history, visual culture, photography, new media, museum and curating studies and bridge theory and practice. It seeks to unite scholars, archivists, curators, museum workers, and artists from across the globe with a view to developing a comprehensive understanding and exchange of innovative solutions, inquiries, and practical challenges relating to the exhibition, collection and interpretation of photography.
Workshop 1 (online): Problems and Definitions - REGISTRATION NOW OPEN HERE
Friday 22 March 2024, 9:30 - 16:00 GMT
Workshop 2 (online): Building Photography Collections for the Future
Friday 24 May 2024, 9:30 - 16:00 BST
Workshop 3 (online): Rethinking Programming: Interpretation and Experience, Inclusion and Equity
Friday 12 July 2024, 9:30 - 16.00 BST
Three-day hybrid international conference: Re-evaluating the Past, Capturing the Present, Anticipating the Future
Friday 22, Saturday 23, Sunday 24 November 2024 (Sunderland and Online).CALL FOR PAPERS HERE
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