The seminar series Exhibition Histories from the 17th century to the present and its parallel events will include presentations focused on the histories of temporary exhibitions, with an emphasis on contemporary theoretical and historical approaches to this topic. The histories of exhibitions have been attracting the interest of a steadily growing number of researchers in recent years. Today, the histories of exhibitions are recognized as significant tools for art history and have played a formative role in recent developments within the discipline.
Invited keynote speakers will present their research and practice to a broad public, which will have the chance to discuss various issues surrounding art exhibitions and their histories.
The seminars will take place on the island of Hydra (Saronic Gulf, nearby Athens) at the annexe of the Athens School of Fine Arts (ASFA) under the auspices of ASFA and in collaboration with the not-for-profit organisation Hydra 21.

The seminars and talks will include, but are not be limited to, the following topics:
- Historiography: shared questions, issues and other parameters in the study of the histories of exhibitions from the 17th century to the present
- Genealogies and developments of questions that have motivated art historians’ interest in the histories of exhibitions
- Revisions of established or canonical perspectives in art history through the study of histories of exhibitions
- The case of Greece: interests and omissions, current research and future prospects
- Archival research
- Oral histories of exhibition curating, exhibition production, visitors’ experiences etc.
- National and international networks of artists and curators, collaborations and curatorial collectives
- Collectors, patrons, sponsors and their roles in the organisation of exhibitions
- Art criticism and exhibition histories
- Exhibition catalogues (various kinds, their historical development)
- Exhibition categories and their histories (monographic shows, group shows, retrospectives, thematic shows, shows of artists’ groups and movements, etc.)
- Theoretical, critical and historical publications and bibliographies of the last decade
- The contemporary art curator as researcher of exhibition histories (publications, restagings, archives of historical examples)
- The exhibition as research and as ‘living’ archive
- Large international exhibitions
- Overlooked or forgotten examples of exceptional shows
- Propaganda and national narratives through exhibitions
- Censorship
- Blockbusters
- New types and categories of interdisciplinary exhibitions [exhibitions as conferences, public programmes, discussions, internet shows, etc]
- The Exhibition as artistic medium

The first seminar of the series is conceived and hosted by ASAD RAZA with the title:
WHAT DO EXHIBITIONS DO?
The seminar will take place on the island of Hydra, Greece from Thursday, 5 September to Sunday, 8 September 2019. It will cover the topic of WHAT DO EXHIBITIONS DO? in various ways, including discussion, reading, movement exercises and cooking. It will be in the form of a 4-day workshop. There will not be a reading list but Asad Raza will bring certain quotes to discuss, that will be relevant to the theme of the seminar.

On Wednesday, 4 September 2019, prior to the commencement of the seminar in Hydra, there will be a round-table discussion open to the public with Asad Raza and the organisers of the Exhibition Histories events to take place in Athens (ASFA). Selected participants are also encouraged to attend this discussion.

There will be a limited number of seminar participants selected through the open call and will include ASFA students from both the Fine Arts and the Art Theory and History of Art Departments (eligible BA, MA and PhD candidates) as well as external academics, students and art professionals who are interested in the subject.
Maximum number of participants: 12
Interested candidates are invited to submit a proposal (c. 500 words, in English) explaining their motivation in participating in the 1st seminar of the Exhibition Histories series by Asad Raza, as well as on how it will benefit their individual research or practice.
Candidates should also submit a curriculum vitae (max 3 pages).
Applicants might be invited for an interview to discuss their application.
All events will be partly recorded following the consent of speakers and will be published online.
Following the completion of the seminars series during 2019-2021, the organizers are planning an international conference, a new cycle of seminars or lectures on the topic, as well as a publication.

Title of Events and Seminars:
Exhibition Histories from the 17th century to the present
1st seminar WHAT DO EXHIBITIONS DO? by Asad Raza

Application deadline:
Monday, 1 July 2019

1st seminar duration:
Thursday, 5 September – Sunday, 8 September 2019
Arrival in Hydra: Thursday, 5 September 2019 - afternoon
End of seminar: Sunday, 8 September 2019 - afternoon

Seminars location:
Hydra island, ASFA Annexe, Greece
Please send your proposals in English (c. 500 words) along with a short cv at exhibitionstoriesgmail.com no later than Monday, 1 July 2019.
The first seminar with Asad Raza will be held in English.
Participation expenses for ASFA students (accommodation at the ASFA annexe, transport, food etc.) will be covered by ASFA, the not-for-profit association Hydra 21 and other sponsors.
External participants (not ASFA students) should cover all their expenses.
[Low cost accommodation at ASFA Annexe will be available, and potentially also other reductions].
There will be no participation fee for the seminars
Applicants will receive a reply by mid-July 2019.

The Exhibition Histories from the 17th century to the present events are organised under the auspices of ASFA and in collaboration with Hydra 21.
Hydra 21 is a not-for-profit association. It was founded in November 2016 by a group of inhabitants and friends of Hydra (from Greece and abroad). The association’s primal ambition is to promote the island’s rich cultural inheritance as well as to encourage and support contemporary cultural production. www.hydra21.gr
For more information about the events please contact: exhibitionstoriesgmail.com

Organizing committee:
Dr Irini Marinaki (art historian, PhD The London Consortium)
Dr Konstantinos J. Stefanis (art historian, Curator at The Benaki Museum - Efstathios J. Finopoulos Collection)
Dr. Eva Fotiadi (art historian and theorist, St Joost Academy of Fine and Applied Arts, The Netherlands)

ASFA Scientific Advisors:
Prof. Nikos Daskalothanassis (Professor of History of Modern and Contemporary Art, Athens School of Fine Arts)
Prof. Zafos Xagoraris (Professor of the Visual Arts Department, Athens School of Fine Arts)