Art & Science:
Conference on Empirical Methods in Art History and Visual Studies

Over the last decade we have been observing a new trend in the
humanities towards the systematic use of empirical methods. Art History
and especially Visual Studies are no exception to this trend. The new
methods often stem from Psychology and Neurology or the Social and
Computational Sciences. They include computational methods and
questionnaires, as well as physiological measures, i.e. eye-tracking,
facial electromyography (fEMG) and skin conductance response measurement
(SCR/GSR) or electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic
resonance imaging (fMRI). The incorporation of these methods allows
transcending disciplinary boundaries and introduces the humanities with
new perspectives on existing theoretical assumptions. Especially,
scholars concerned with topics that address the process of aesthetic
perception and reception employ these new methodological approaches to
gather new insights into theoretical paradigms.

We would like to give these new approaches a platform and discuss a
broad set of art (historical) questions beyond the limits of classical
methodologies, including empirical research, theoretical considerations
on methodology and art production that incorporates empirical methods.

We invite proposals both from scholars and young researchers, as well as
artists.

Topics may include, but are not limited to:
- Cognitive Research in Art History
- Neuroarthistory
- Digital Art History


Please submit a short abstract (300 words), brief c.v. (two pages max.),
and full contact information by Dec 14, 2014. Unfortunately travel costs
cannot be reimbursed.

Please direct your communication to:

Laura Commare
laura.commareunivie.ac.at

Department of Art History
University of Vienna

Universitätscampus Hof 9
Spitalgasse 2
A-1090 Vienna