Call for Papers

Heidelberger Kunstverein

ISLANDS & GHETTOS

Panel held in connection with an international exhibition
June 7th, 2008-01-14

The day after the opening of the international exhibition "Islands &
Ghettos", this panel will present papers by scholars focusing on the
theme of the exhibition: segregational tendencies in urban
developments of the 21st century. The exhibition is presented by
Heidelberger Kunstverein in cooperation with Kunstverein Mannheim,
Ernst-Bloch-Zentrum Ludwigshafen, Ruperto Carola University
Heidelberg, American University of Sharjah, and the Caracas Urban
Think Tank.

One of two prototypical case studies of territorial segregation dealt
with by works of artists Andreas Siekmann, Carey Young, Silke Wagner
and others in the exhibition is the artificial archipelagos off the
shore of Dubai. The artificial islands exemplify the aesthetics of
21st century physical and social demarcation which can be traced far
beyond the Gulf region.

The South American megacity Caracas, with its impoverished "barrios"
in close proximity to gated communities of the upper and middle
classes, will be another focal point. An essential feature of such
cities is the lack of public space and the exhibition aims to discuss
the effects thereof. The extremes of Caracas and Dubai should direct
the interest of the audience and the panel towards investigating the
theme of social seclusion and segregation in a global context.

Keynote speakers of the panel will be the international research
partners from the Gulf (Architects Kevin Mittchel and George
Katodrytis - American University Sharjah) and Caracas (Architects
Alfredo Brillembourg and Hubert Klumpner - Urban Think Tank).

Interested scholars from diverse fields are invited to submit papers
questioning urban tendencies of social segregation as well as artistic
or architectural responses to such conditions. Other topics might
include the difference between contemporary artistic practice relating
to urban change and previous artistic and architectural strategies
towards similar situations.

Deadline for submissions is the 1st of April 2008. Abstracts can be
submitted in German or English. It is possible to apply for
reimbursement of travel costs. Please send proposals to by email to
hdkvhdkv.de
, subject: call for papers or by post to: Heidelberger Kunstverein,
Postbox 120210, 69065 Heidelberg.