2nd Art + Science Conference on Empirical Methods in Art History and Visual Studies

Over the last decade we have been observing a new trend in the humanities towards the systematic use of empirical methods. The first Art + Science Conference on Empirical Methods in Art History and Visual Studies in 2015 proved that Art History and the Visual Studies are no exception to this international trend. Methods for example traditionally stemming from Psychology and Neurology or the Social and Computational Sciences are gradually implemented in art research not only to question premises of classical approaches but to tap new perspectives on our field. The incorporation of these methods also allows transcending encrusted disciplinary boundaries and fosters interdisciplinary dialogue as well as interdisciplinary connectivity.

Despite the uncontested benefit of interdisciplinary research when accessing new methodological ground, the crucial necessity to at least partly re-embed one owns work in the ancestral field remains: a goal that can only be reached, if the art sciences find common ground not only with regard to theoretical but also with respect to methodological issues within their own field. The aim of the Art + Science Conference series is to give new approaches in the art sciences a platform and to support exchange among scholars concerned with empirical approaches to art research.

For the conference we welcome contributions that discuss or explicitly revert to scientific methods for the investigation of questions of art historical relevance in a wide variety of domains, including for example research on aesthetic experience and art reception, museum studies, digital art history, neuroarthistory, cognitive research in art history, or the investigation of historical data.

The Art + Science Conference on Empirical Research in Art History 2016 encourages different types of contributions. You may submit abstracts for panels, symposia, individual talks or posters.

Panels
Panels should plan a series of 4-5 talks on an overarching topic. The total duration of each panel should not exceed 120 minutes. The duration of each talk should be approximately 25 minutes in total and include 5-10 minutes time for discussion. For proposing a panel please submit a 450 words proposal stating the aim of the panel including a statement on the relevance of the topic. Calls for individual contributions to panels will be sent out after the notification of acceptance.

Symposia
Symposia should consist of a series of 3-4 talks on an overarching topic. The total duration of each symposium should not exceed 90 minutes. The duration of each talk should be approximately 25 minutes in total and include 5-10 minutes time for discussion. The symposia may also be organized by a series of talks followed by a last slot for an open discussion. For proposing a symposium please submit a 450 words proposal stating how the individual talks are related and clarifying the benefit of a joint representation. Before submitting a symposium, chairs are requested to collect abstracts of all the individual contributions of their symposium and to attach them to the general symposium proposal. Each individual abstract should consist of no more than 250 words.

Individual talks and posters
For proposing a talk or poster please submit a 250 words abstract. Individual talks should be scheduled for approximately 20 minutes. Please specify on your abstract your preferred form of presentation (individual talk or poster). The committee will review all submissions and in case of acceptance make the final decision on the presentation format.

Please see our website for further information and more details on the submission guidelines: artandscience.univie.ac.at.

Please submit your abstracts including a brief c.v. (two pages max.), and full contact information latest by Feb 26, 2016 for panels
latest by March 7, 2016 for symposia, individual talks or posters.

Unfortunately travel costs cannot be reimbursed.

Please direct your communication to:

Laura Commare
artandscience.kunstgeschichteunivie.ac.at

Department of Art History
University of Vienna
Universitätscampus Hof 9
Spitalgasse 2
1090 Vienna