The Art of the Lost: destruction, reconstruction and change
27th to 29th November 2019
Proposal deadline: Friday 25th January 2019
Proposals for papers are invited for the two day conference ‘The Art of the Lost: destruction, reconstruction and change’ (working title) to be held at Canterbury Cathedral on the 27th to 29thNovember 2019.
The conference is part of a wider project to preserve and research the material culture of Canterbury Cathedral and it is supported by the Chapter of Canterbury and the Heritage Lottery Fund through The Canterbury Journey project.
This conference will explore and appraise current and developing studies of how art changes, is reused or repurposed, disappears or is rediscovered.
It will look at how and why art is defaced, destroyed or is lost within architectural settings, with a particular focus on art within the context of cathedrals, churches or other places of worship.
It will consider changing ideologies, iconoclasm, war, fashion and symbolism. It will cover art from the 6th century to the modern day.
The aim of the conference is to offer a vibrant and challenging perspective on the field, review ongoing projects, scholarly activity and public engagement.
Original proposals are welcome from professionals, rising and established academic scholars and graduate students. Submissions are invited on topics including, but not limited to:
- Stained Glass
- Graffiti
- Wall art
- Paintings
- Textiles
- Books, manuscripts and libraries
- Architecture and interior design
- Sculpture
- Monuments and tombs
- Church plate
- New art making use of old or reacting to architectural settings
- Photography and moving image
The conference will include a series of presentations and panel discussions, supported by unique and unusual access to the architecture of the Cathedral.
Guidelines for proposals:
Presentations of papers will be 30 minutes in length with time for questions at the end of each session.
Papers in this context could be individual or joint presentations or panel discussions.
Proposals should include the presenter’s name, position and institutional affiliation, the paper’s title, an abstract of up to 250 words, a biography of up to 200 words (written in the third person), and a contact e-mail address.
Proposals for joint presentations or panel discussions should include the above for each speaker, and in the case of a panel discussion a paragraph of up to 250 words describing the panel’s rationale.
Proposals for papers should be emailed to Sarah Turner, Collections Manager and Heather Newton, Head of Conservation by 25th January 2019 at Learning@canterbury-cathedral.org, with the email titled: Art of the Lost Proposal and your proposal title.
Informal enquiries in advance of this deadline are welcome, via the same e-mail address or by phone on: + 44 (0) 1227 862797
All presenters will receive a contribution towards their travel costs (standard class tickets within the UK or mileage at 40p mile) and free entry to the conference (including lunch and refreshments, but excluding the conference dinner).
Full registration details will be available in February 2019. Limited student and low income bursaries may be available, more details to follow.
