Italy

CALL FOR ESSAYS

Sex Acts: Practice, Performance and Perversion in Early Modern Italy

Deadlines: Abstracts 3/23/07, Essays 08/01/07

Essays are sought for a collection on the history and visual culture of sex
in early modern Italy, c. 1350-1750. This interdisciplinary volume will
offer up a series of innovative, critical engagements with the ritual and
representation of the sexed/sexual body. The title, 'Sex Acts,' is meant to
be interpreted broadly: from the ACTing out, or performing, of one's sex (or
of the other sex) to sexual ACTivity, including what might be considered,
now or then, peculiar practices and preferences. Desirable submissions will
take into account the visual culture of sex: objects and images from
painting and sculpture to prints and engravings, from apparata and
accessories to costume and domestic furniture and decoration. Topics might
include prostitution, pornography, voyeurism, cross-dressing, role play,
fetishism, sado-masochism, sodomy, incest, bestiality,
same-/opposite-/multi-sex desire, or a variety of other possibly scandalous
scenarios.

Essays should not exceed 5000 words and will be due in August 2007. All
essays will be translated into Italian by the editor. Please send abstract
and C.V. by March 23rd to Allison Levy, Department of Art History, Wheaton
College [alevywheatonma.edu]. Early submissions and initial inquiries are
especially welcome; electronic submissions only, please.