Pennsylvania State University Graduate Student Association for Visual Culture

Third Annual Graduate Conference:

The Object and Beyond

March 25–26, 2011

Call for Participation

At the moment a work of art is made, it is known just to its maker. Only after it is

shown to others does it accrue social and aesthetic value. Quieter, less studied,

but not less important are the ways in which the art object becomes entwined in

the lives of those who see, use, or possess it, and thereby alters how they see

themselves and are seen by others.

With these words, Robert Nelson begins his essay “Empathetic Vision: Looking at and
with a Performative Byzantine Miniature.” These ideas, however, can easily apply to a
broad range of studies both within and beyond art history. We hope that graduate students
from a variety of disciplines will accept the challenge this text presents with new
interpretations of the object and its implications.

Program of events:
• Keynote address by Robert Nelson on Friday, March 25
• Reception for presenters following keynote address
• Panel sessions throughout the day on Saturday, March 26

Guidelines for submission: For papers, provide an abstract of no more than 500 words.
Papers will be limited to 20 minutes each, with additional time for questions and
discussion. Creative presentations, performances, or visual pieces are also welcome, but
these also need to be submitted in the form of an abstract. All submissions must include a
current CV, contact information (including email address, degree/year, and institutional
affiliation), and a cover letter. The members of GSAVC may be able to offer assistance
with local transportation and housing.

Deadline for submissions is December 15, 2010.
Applicants will be notified of acceptance by January 15.
For more information, or to email submission, contact:
Cali Buckley, Conference Co-Chair, PSU.GSAVC@gmail.com