DORICH HOUSE ANNUAL CONFERENCE #7
THURSDAY 19TH AND FRIDAY 20TH MAY 2005

FACULTY OF ART DESIGN & MUSIC, KINGSTON UNIVERSITY,LONDON SW15

CALL FOR PAPERS
MODERNITY, MODERNISM AND THE INTERIOR 1870-1970

Deadline: 5th January 2005

This conference sets out to expand our existing understanding of the
'modern interior', and the relationship (and possible tensions) between
the concepts of modernity and modernism as manifested in the design of
the interior. As the 'inside' and the 'outside' of buildings were so
inextricably linked within the modernist vision, papers are invited from
a wide range of disciplines, including design, architectural and urban
historians.

What is 'the modern interior'? Situated either in private or public
buildings, it is, arguably, not necessarily restricted to the work of
reforming, modernist architects who extended their work into this arena.
Nor need it be limited to other, more popular, spaces constructed in a
range of overtly modern styles - including the modernistic, streamlined
moderne and contemporary - which took their lead from modern architects
and designers. This conference will investigate the phenomenon of the
modern interior in its broadest sense, including interiors designed and
produced from 1870-1970 (by professionals or amateurs) which do not
necessarily look modern but which can be seen as a response to (or
contributing to) what we think of as the key features of 'modern life'.
These features may include a progressive use of technology; an overt
relationship with the mass media; an emphasis on 'modern' individualism;
the construction of modern cultural identities, determined by gender,
class, race, sexuality or a sense of nationhood; the modern experiences
of urban and suburban life; and the concept of modern 'interiority'.

Inevitably the conference will address the question of whose modernity
was being expressed in the interiors of this period, as well as that of
how expressions of modernity were achieved and experienced. It is hoped
to explore these questions from both a theoretical and a practical
perspective, considering cultural theories and critiques of modernity
which locate the interior as an important component of modern life as
well as analyses of actual and/or represented interiors and of their
creators and users.

The conference will be the first of many activities organised by (and
will be the occasion of the launch of) the Faculty of Art, Design &
Music's exciting new project, The Centre for the Study of the Design of
the Modern Interior.

Abstracts of 300 words, accompanied by a short bibliography and brief
curriculum vitae, should be submitted by Wednesday 5th January 2005 to:

Brenda Martin, Faculty of Art, Design & Music, Kingston University,
Kingston Vale, London SW15 3RN. e-mail b.martinkingston.ac.uk. Tel:
020 8547 7515

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Dr David Wilson
Research Administrator
Faculty of Art, Design & Music
020 8547 8321

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