XVIIth International Congress of Aesthetics

9–13 July 2007

Middle East Technical University

Ankara- Turkey

Theme: Aesthetics Bridging Cultures

The theme of the XVIIth International Congress of Aesthetics will be
'Aesthetics Bridging Cultures'. The Congress is organized by the Sanart
Association of Aesthetics and Visual Culture, in cooperation and with the
support of the Middle East Technical University and the Faculty of
Architecture, under the auspices of the International Association of
Aesthetics.

The third millennium is proceeding with threatening declarations, both in
deed and in discourse as to the possibility to reconcile differences. The
partiality of prevailing political and cultural attitudes jeopardizes
dialogue amongst cultures and convictions. Yet, culture as human nature
means diversity as well as synthesis. As aestheticians we can ask whether
it is possible to keep diversities alive as well as to render them
communicable, and to create new forms of synergie, through art and
aesthetics.

The XVIIth International Congress of Aesthetics, taking place in Turkey,
will approach art and culture in terms of historic ruptures,
continuities, tensions and hybridities. With worldwide participation,
it is expected that alternative disciplinary attitudes within aesthetics
and philosophy with focuses on art, architecture, urbanism, landscape,
music, literature, film, etc., can contribute to the discussion of
'Bridging Cultures'. The exchange of ideas and experiences of an
aesthetic nature can also encourage relationships between different
cultures.

Session titles will be made definitive after paper proposals. Yet, the
following items can be a guide for choosing thematic or conceptual
approaches.

Idealism and Pragmatism, Local and Glocal, Orientalism and Occidentalism
Pluralism and Egalitarianism, Sacred and Profane, Historicism
New Taxonomies of Art, Culture Industry, Aesthetics of Technologies
Aesthetics and the Everyday, High/Low, Real and Virtual, Philosophical
Approaches
Interculturalism and the Arts, Territory and Cultures, Art in
Transhistorical Perspectives, Violence, Ethics/Aesthetics, Education

The Middle East Technical University is situated on a large campus about
20 minutes drive away from the city center and houses many facilities for
academic and cultural international events. The Sanart Association has
often held its international symposia at the Middle East Technical
University. The university can also offer accommodation during the
summer recess, which will reduce participation costs for many members of
the IAA and for students. It has also facilities where about 600 people
can be served lunch. Both the Cultural and Congress Center and the
Faculty of Architecture have conference halls with audio-visual
equipment. About 10 to 12 parallel sessions can be held jointly in
these buildings.

Many artistic events, a sculpture symposium that will take place on the
METU campus, performances, film and video shows, special student panels
will be planned during the congress week both in Ankara and on the METU
campus. Organizers will be happy to consider proposals both from Turkey
and for international events. Please write to aesthmetu.edu.tr

Hopefully the congress will also be an occasion to meet many
aestheticians from the Middle East and from non-western countries. Turkey
is a country of diverse regional and ethnic cultures, and neighbors many
countries with rich cultural traditions, both in east and west. The
organization will see to it that there will be cultural-touristic trips
to interesting sites before and after the congress.

On early July, temperatures in Ankara can go up to 25-35 centigrade, yet
the evenings are cool and comfortable, since the city is situated on a
high plateau of 900 meters. Early and mid July is the best summer time
all over Turkey.

Registration fees: till 30th December 2005 - 200 USD

1st January 2006 – 30 April 2007 - 250 USD
1st May 2007- Congress opening - 300 USD

Includes: lunches, IAA 3 year membership, city tour, reception,
programme and abstract book, proceedings book, earphone loan for
translation, coffee and tea

Student registration: 50 USD till 30 April 2007
75 USD after 1st May 2007

Includes: coffee and tea, earphone loan, programme and abstract book,
proceedings book

Contact: Jale Erzen <erzenarch.metu.edu.tr >

http://www.sanart.org.tr

Mail Address:
Jale Erzen, Faculty of Architecture, Middle East Technical University
Balgat – Inonu Cad. 06531 – Ankara – Turkey

Fax: 90-312-2101249
Telephone: 90-312-2102215

Registration, Accommodation and Paper Presentation forms and info will be
announced in Fall 2005