Since the 19th century, the interplay between art and diplomacy has been complex and multifaceted. From circulating objects that mediate political identities to diverse actors in diplomatic roles, and the transformation of spaces like embassies and exhibitions, the scope of cultural diplomacy extends far beyond traditional boundaries. This conference challenges conventional categories and broadens our understanding of diplomatic actors, exploring how objects, people, and spaces shape cultural exchanges between nations.

Throughout the complex history of neighboring France and Germany—during times of peace and conflict alike—the contributions of various diplomatic actors and their archival sources have become a significant area of research in art history. Following two workshops in Berlin and Paris, the conference "Art and Diplomacy" will once again bring together these international junior scholars to present their insightful research on these compelling questions, offering new perspectives on the intricate relationship between art and diplomacy.

Program
Senate Room, Technische Universität Berlin, Main Building
Straße des 17. Juni 135, 10623 Berlin
10 October 2024

09:00– 09.15
Registration

09:15 – 9.30
Opening remarks

09.30 – 11:00
Keynote lecture
Archives in the Museum: from Provenance to People
Nora El Qadim – Associate Professor, Université Paris 8 Vincennes Saint-Denis

11:15 – 12:45
Panel 1: What & Why? – Objects

Gaelle Prodhon (Paris): Photographic circulations between Algeria and the two Germanies during the Cold War: official and unofficial trajectories at the crossroads of ideologies and ambivalences.
Natasha Milovzorova (Paris): International Exhibitions and the (Un)freedom of Artwork Circulation
Wei Sun (Heidelberg/Venice): Prehistoric Japan on Display: European Exhibitions and the Formation of National Identity Through Archaeological Artifacts

13:00 – 14:00
Break (Lunch not provided)

14:00 – 15:30
Panel 2: Who & How? – Actors

Esther Heyer (Munich): “Je n’ai fait rien que de tâcher de faire mon devoir.“ Franziskus Graf Wolff Metternich as an Actor of Cultural Diplomacy in the Context of the Protection of Cultural Heritage?
Xenia Schiemann (Bonn): Problem “Ausgestaltung von DDR-Botschaften mit Museumsgut.” Embassies of the Socialist GDR in the Capitalist West
Camille Freyermuth (Paris): Major and Minor Diplomatic Actors of the Post-War Restitution Process.

15:30 – 16:00
Coffee break

16 – 17:30
Panel 3: When & Where? – Spaces

Victoria Márquez-Feldman (Paris): The National Museum of Decorative Arts as a "Diplomatic Hall". Expositions de tapisserie et de costumes dans le temps d'Eva Perón.
Leandro Leao Alves (São Paulo/Paris): A Palace-Museum for a New Capital: Itamaraty Moving from Rio to Brasília in the 1960s
Katharina Hüls-Valenti (Mainz/Venice): German Embassies as Trade Hubs for National Socialist Art Acquisitions – On the Example of Italy

17:30 – 18:20
Round table with all participants

18:20 – 18:30
Final remarks

18:30 – 20:00
Reception
Atrium, Technische Universität Berlin, Main Building
Straße des 17. Juni 135, 10623 Berlin

The panels will be moderated by: Matilde Cartolari (Research Associate, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität & Zentralinstitut für Kunstgeschichte, Munich), Mattes Lammert (Lecturer in Provenance Research, Universität Zürich) and Sebastian Willert (Research Associate, Leibniz-Institut für jüdische Geschichte und Kultur - Simon Dubnow, Leipzig).

Admission is by registration only. Please register by sending an email to artdiplomacykuk.tu-berlin.de

Organization team: Anna-Jo Weier & Iñigo Salto Santamaría, Department of Digital Provenance Research & Department of Modern Art History, Technische Universität Berlin, in cooperation with the Institut national d’histoire de l’art, Paris.

The conference, part of the project “Art and Diplomacy. Actors of Cultural Affairs and their Archival Sources in Berlin and Paris,” is funded by the Franco-German University.