ASSOCIATION of ART HISTORIANS Registered Charity No

August 1993 BULLETIN ASSOCIATION OF ART HISTORIANS Registered Charity No. 282579 Editor: Jannet King, 48 Stafford Road, Brighton BN1 5PF For information on advertising & membership: Kate Woodhead, Dog and Partridge House, By ley, Cheshire CW10 9NJ Tel: 0606 835517 Fax: 0606 834799

NEWS REPORTS CHAIR'S BRIEFING

There has been a good response to the • Some feel that the annual conference is • Positive steps to provide better resources Chair's Report tabled at the April 1993 an important event but not so important for Art History teaching in higher AGM and printed in the last Bulletin. that it should exhaust a disproportionate education are being taken; we are trying Several members of the Association have percentage of the Association's human to get the law changed to enable written expressing their views about some and financial resources. institutions to have slides made for of the suggestions we put forward and teaching purposes without infringing more responses either to 'Open Forum' or The Way Forward copyright, and a conference is planned privately directly to me would be very On the Executive we are trying to establish in association with the British Library's welcome. Here are some extracts and our priorities from the numerous Standing Conference on Art and Design. synopses from the post-bag: suggestions thrown up by 'The Way • Some assumed that the 'proposals' in Forward' discussions. At present we have Eastern Europe the Annual Report would automatically identified several areas for immediate The Executive Committee still needs become policy. I would like to reassure action: contact addresses in Eastern Europe of the membership that neither the Chair • We are considering proposals from the worthy educational institutions to benefit nor the Executive intends to ignore the Schools Subcommittee and elsewhere from the scheme to offer free subscriptions strong democratic base upon which the to make the Association more useful to to Art History. There are twenty sub• Association is built. Any important school teachers obliged to teach hist• scriptions on offer for 1994 and although changes will be put before the orical and critical studies under the terms we have some good suggestions for Poland membership at General Meeting under of the National Curriculum for Art. and Hungary we need contact names and the terms of the Constitution. • We are drawing up plans for AAH addresses for Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, • There is a wide-spread feeling - probably activities on a regional basis. Roumania and Slovakia. The Executive accurate - that the establishment of a • We are thinking hard about present hopes that the republics of the former permanent, staffed AAH office would categories of membership and whether Yugoslavia may be included in the scheme be impossibly expensive. or not to bring a new scheme to the in due course. • Several members are interested in further members at the 1994 AGM. debate about the very nature of the • A list of East European institutions to Nigel Llewellyn Association: should it try to become a receive free subscriptions to Art History Chair 'professional group' on the lines of the is being made. July 1993 BMA or a 'club for people with an • We are encouraging the HEFCE to interest'? This is an important establish a satisfactory unit of resource consideration, coming as it does when for History of Art, Architecture and we are seeking to expand the Design and to correct the unfair membership and raise more income. arrangements so incompetently applied Would more members amongst school in the aftermath of the 1992 Research teachers and students represent a Selectivity Exercise. (Departmental disincentive to potential members heads and Vice-Chancellors are being among museum professionals? written to about this.) NEWS REPORTS

SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

It was felt by the EC that reports submitted university funding. It was felt that research of Art, as President, Gillian Elinor, to the committee by subcommittee chairs had to be assessed if it was to be part of University of East London, Vice- would be of interest to members in that government and local authority funding President. COSAAD had suggested they would give some idea of the scope of decisions. that the AAH provide a database of the work undertaken by the subcommittees It was agreed that the members of the members. It was agreed that this be and keep members up to date with the AAH subcommittee should see themselves referred to the EC. Further, it was issues being discussed. as the logical body to propose both the agreed that reports from this The following reports were submitted assessment group membership and the subcommittee be exchanged with to the EC meeting on 23 June 1993. criteria for assessment research. To COSAAD. Working party for contact Remarks in square brackets refer to accomplish this it was decided that case with COSAAD: Gillian Elinor, Keith comments or decisions taken at the EC studies should be gathered in order to define Robinson, David Peters Corbett. meeting. on what basis research assessment could 5 Thesis prize be judged. Recognising the success of this scheme, Members of the subcommittee were a working party to administer this Art Galleries and asked to volunteer case studies and forms year's prize was set up: Gillian Elinor, Museums of evidence on which we might construct Gudrun Schubert, Colin Cruise. acceptable performance indicators. 6 FE research project The Art Galleries and Museums The next meeting was arranged for Shirley Walker was waiting for EC Subcommittee has had two meetings since Monday 19 July at 14.30 in the Victoria approval [granted] to approach possible the London AAH Conference. The first and Albert Museum. funding bodies. An invitation for a meeting was taken up with discussion researcher to undertake this proposal focusing on the aims and objectives of the Sylvia Lahav would be published in the next Bulletin. subcommittee. Many suggestions were Chair, Art Galleries and Museums It was agreed that she should go ahead put forward concerning 'the way forward' June 1993 [see under Announcements], but that and how best to organise a programme the matter would be passed forward to which would address issues of common EC. FE working party: Shirley Walker, interest while still acknowledging the Universities and Ella Beaumont. diversity of the group. There was some discussion concerning A rt History and how Colleges 7 HEFCE research funding for History of Art and Art and Design the group might influence the content and 1 Membership nature of the journal. A draft letter from the Chair of the sub• Following the reconstitution of the committee to Heads of relevant N Hilary Gresty from VAGA spoke a little subcommittee at the 1993 AGM, the Departments was circulated for about the history of VAGA, its role and 17 members elected at the jointly held present membership. comment. The substance of the letter meeting were confirmed. The was commended, but it was agreed It was agreed that the next meeting membership is drawn from all that a clearer invitation to respond should focus on a current issue of concern, constituencies of the subcommittee: should be included. In addition EC Performance Indicators, and it was decided the 'old universities', higher and would be asked to approve that a letter to invite Michael Podro to come along and further education colleges. from the Chair of the Association be address the group. Michael Podro, 2 Meetings sent to Vice-Chancellors and Heads of Professor of Art History at Essex The first meeting was held on Friday institutions to alert them to the University, was a member of the assessment 12 June. A calendar of meetings was Assocation's views. [It was felt the panel for research into Performance agreed at that meeting: 29 November letter should come from Nigel Indicators in Art History Departments of 1993,4 March 1994, 10 June 1994. Llewelyn.] universities, established by the University 3 Operation of subcommittee 8 Subcommittee constitutency Funding Council on recommendations from It was agreed that the subcommittee's the AAH. Difficulties in locating contact names business was best handled through the for mailings relating to committee The second meeting looked at the operation of working parties with matters should be rectified through a proposals which the Department ofNational specific tasks. Some already existed systematic gathering of names of Heads Heritage is discussing concerning the from the previous year. Others were or other contacts. Working party: Will introduction of Performance Indicators into set up. Vaughan, Pauline Ridley, Shirley National Museums and Galleries. Michael 4 COSAAD Walker. Podro began by putting arts research A change of officers was reported, funding into perspective with other with Barry Jackson, Falmouth School NEWS REPORTS

9 Theory and Practice teaching of visual history might also agreed that a working party be formed Further discussion - perhaps a day be included. Working party: Sue to decide a strategy. Working party: conference on the teaching of art history Wragg, Colin Cruise, Pauline Ridley. Andrew Causey, David Peters Corbett, in the context of practical art - was 10 Higher Education Research in Art Anne Massey, Claire Donovan. proposed to follow the interest shown History at the 1993 Conference. The interest Various issues relating to research William Vaughan shown by gallery and museum curators (funding, assessment, research degrees, Chair, Universities and Colleges had surprised the organisers. The supervision) need vigilance, and it was June 1993 REGIONAL GROUPS Local activities under the AAH umbrella

One of the initiatives being actively national AAH events such as the Annual Any individuals or groups of members considered by the Executive Committee is Conference. who have views about Regional Groups or the establishment of a network of Regional Such Regional Groups should probably would like to take part in running one are Groups within the AAH. These groups be formed and grow in response to local asked to contact the Hon Secretary (address might meet occasionally for a programme demand rather than artificial direction from on back page). of lectures, visits to exhibitions and the centre and to do this the Executive will collections etc, and would supplement need support from the wider membership. Nigel Llewellyn Chair DISLOCATED SPACES A Report on the Students Group Conference

The conference, held at the University of history while confined by the limitations of Interesting discussions took place between Central England in Birmingham on 19 June, the old art history within national public the audience and speakers. was organised for and by the Students institutions. I would like to thank the speakers for Group and aimed to explore some of the Penelope Curtis emphasised the different giving vivid papers and also Alex Pearl issues concerning the presentation of roles of the Tate Gallery in London and who helped me out at short notice. It was artworks and artefacts in museums. Liverpool. One of the main aims of the a pity that more students didn't attend, John Glaves-Smith gave a paper on the new outpost was to somehow engage with especially as those who did enjoyed it problems arising from the relationship a regional public who approached the immensely. It is hoped that more students between the studio space and public space institution with scepticism on the grounds will come to future events. within museums and galleries. Frances that it represented an imposition by London. Borzello reflected on the problems of David Phillips confronted the issues Pauline de Souza teaching teenagers in museums. The paper concerning the use of museum and gallery Secretary of the Students Group concentrated on how to teach the new art space arranged into family fun rooms.

COSAAD and the CNAA

The Chair's Annual Report (see Bulletin concern to art and design higher education design higher education and to deliver 49) misrepresented COSAAD, which in the UK'. On subject matters the Council coordinated and authoritative statements stands for the Council of Subject defers to the relevant Committee on its behalf. The AAH is represented on Associates for Art and Design. COSAAD established by each participating subject several of its committees. In no formal was established in 1992 with a remit to association. The objective of the Council sense has COSAAD replaced the CNAA. 'determine policy on matters of common is to 'maintain an overview of art and

3 NEWS REPORTS VAGA Towards an Effective Lobby for the Visual Arts

VAGA, the Visual Arts and Galleries censorship and redress of the current Qualifications. A minor triumph has been Association, is a professional network imbalance between art-form funding. The the recognition that a specific qualification dedicated to improving the status of the present plight of many local-authority- needs to be developed for Contemporary visual arts within contemporary culture. funded organisations has rapidly become Art Curatorship. VAGA has formal Following an inaugural meeting at top of the agenda and we will be holding a affiliations with NAGE (the National Birmingham City Art Gallery in March meeting in the autumn to spearhead these Association for Gallery Education) and 1991, at which the former Art Galleries issues. A questionnaire has recently been Public Art Forum and is on the Steering Association formally became VAGA, an sent out to ascertain the state of local Group for the National Association of extensive consultation year (funded by the authority purchase grants prior to convening Artists' Code of Practice for Visual Artists. Arts Council) resulted in a clear and decisive a meeting with the various different bodies VAGA has also recentlyjoinedthe steering remit. A three-year development plan with that have an interest in promoting group for the European Forum for the Arts VAGA's role as a lobby at its heart has purchasing. and Heritage, which lobbies for the arts at consequently been produced. A number of Over the past two years VAGA has been a European level, as the only visual arts key issues have been identified, such as monitoring the work of the Museum representative. enhancement of purchase funds for Training Institute (about which a book If you would like further information contemporary work, extension of gift aid could be written!) and working with the and membership details please contact: to objects and the development of other Arts and Entertainment Training Council VAGA, The Old Village School, Witcham, fiscal incentives, opposition to all forms of on the development ofNational Vocational Ely, CB6 2LQ. Tel: 0353 776356

Latest News from Co-opted EC members Edinburgh Following the nomination of only one members. He also felt that, as a member Readers of the Bulletin will recall that new member to the EC at the 1993 AGM, working in Scotland, he could provide a there have been worrying signs recently it was decided to apply the co-option useful point of contact between Scottish that the University of Edinburgh is procedure. The following members were members and the EC. following the misguided example of therefore co-opted at the EC meeting on Royal Holloway College and 23 June 1993. Lubaina Himid attempting to dispose of part of its art Lubaina Himid is an artist and teacher at collection. The attempt to dispose of Duncan Forbes the University of Central Lancashire. items from the Torrie Collection has Duncan Forbes is a PhD student at the become entangled in a legal web of University of St Andrews, carrying out Robin Simon such complexity that despite having research into 19th-century Scottish Robin Simon is Editor of Apollo taken a decision in principle to sell an painting, with particular reference to the magazine, and as such felt that he would unspecified item, the University Court formation and evolution of arts institutions represent the interests of commercial has had to pause until the legal position in Edinburgh and Glasgow. In his proposal publishers, as well as having a broad has been resolved. This delay is good for co-option he stressed the importance view of the most current artistic and art- news, but any members of the of the Association becoming increasingly historical activity. Association, particularly those living supportive of and relevant to its student in Scotland, who believe that works of art left to form university art collections should not be sold, should write giving their objections to: Sir David Smith FRS FRSE Principal and Vice-Chancellor The University of Edinburgh Old College, South Bridge Edinburgh EH8 9YL.

Nigel Llewellyn Chair July 1993

4 BIRMINGHAM CONFERENCE BIRMINGHAM CONFERENCE 1994 FORWARD: ART AND INDUSTRY (Past and Future) University of Central England in Birmingham 8-11 April 1994

The academic sessions and the Book Fair will be held at the Gosta Green site of the Institute of Art and Design. Accommodation will be available in student halls of residence and at hotels within easy walking distance of Gosta Green. Plenary sessions have been arranged at the Great Hall, adjacent to the Institute, while receptions will be held at a variety of locations in Birmingham. In addition to Sunday's reception, a block booking has been arranged for a recital by Alfred Brendel at the new Symphony Hall in the city centre. A number of visits, both short and day-long, will be conducted on Monday, after the academic sessions have concluded. w #feif-^t^^Kf^^^^S^M' ^fy#^%^^^: > ^ ^ *^ ^Ms^m"^ * -v We invite proposals for contributions to the academic sessions. Please contact conveners no later than 1 October 1993, providing a brief abstract. Conveners: Professor George T Noszlopy and Dr Kenneth Quickenden (University of Central England) Administrators: Vicky Ley (academic sessions and bookings) and Lynn Woolley (finance and visits) University of Central England, Institute of Art and Design, School of Historical and Theoretical Studies in Art and Design, Gosta Green, Birmingham B4 7DX

Book Fair: Savita Ayling, 127 Sunnybank Road, Griffithstown, Pontypool, Gwent NR4 5LL Tel: 0495 762790

Orpheus and Daedalus: the power of art Coevally, and more optimistically, Icarie Central Europe has made a significant and the ideological transformations of was the name given by Cabet to the vision contribution to the study of art history in myth in the imaging of religious and of communal life he hoped to establish in the 20th century. One particularly social harmony America with his followers, critical-Utopian interesting conjuncture has been between socialists favourably mentioned by Marx the conflicting ideas of Semper and Riegl. Convener: Dr Adrian Hicken, Bath College and Engels in the Communist Manifesto. This session will be devoted to an analysis of Higher Education, Faculty of Art and Throughout the next fifty years, European of the work of both Semper and Riegl, and Music, 16 Somerset Place, Lansdown, Bath, avant-gardes, whether communistic, the influence the two men have had upon BAl 5SF anarchistic, or nationalistic, posited Utopian the development of art historiography and social unity, a new golden age: the harmonic the understanding of the material practices Orpheus and Daedalus, together with integration of arts and technologies. of art. Guest speakers will be invited from Prometheus and Hephaistos, are amongst It is hoped that this session will provide Germany and Central Europe, but it is the earliest mythical personifications of a forum for a number of papers addressing hoped that there will also be significant civilising processes and institutions. The iconographical, socio-economic, and contributions from scholars in the UK and name Daedalus, which itself implies skill, sociological problems associated with the USA. became synonymous with the early arts, technology, architecture and social developments of sculpted religious planning. Speakers so far include Richard Mass Production of Art in Pre-Industrial imagery, architecture, and mechanical Hobbs (University of Bristol) on Odilon Europe ingenuity. Redon and Orphism, Julia Fagan-King on In post-Christian Europe, the mythic Apollinaire and his Circle, and Michael Convener: Dr T Frangenberg, University figure of Orpheus has been a dominant White on Van Doesburg's 'City of of Leicester, Department of Art History, symbol, an analogue of Christ and the Circulation'. University Road, Leicester, LEI 7RH embodiment of the transfigurative power of art. Daedalian imagery survived less Semper and Riegl This session will study the multiplication prominently, although the theme of Icarus, or mass-production of images such as elaborated and embellished, developed into Convener: Richard Woodfield, The devotional paintings, cast sculpture, pilgrim a principal emblem of tragic Promethean Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham badges, tourist souvenirs etc, from the aspiration in 19th-century romanticism. NG1 4BU. Fax: 0602 486403 Middle Ages to the 17th century.

5 BIRMINGHAM CONFERENCE

Contributions on the uses of such works, issues of commodity aesthetics and ecology Pre-Raphaelite Art and Literature on the organisation of the workshops aesthetics. producing them, and on the locations where Much of the ecological literature is Convener: Ellen Harding, University of such production occurred, are as welcome inherently polemical and cannot be Central England, Birmingham Institute of as studies on individual groups and works. separated from the politics of environ• Art and Design, Gosta Green, Birmingham mentalism. A historical perspective which B4 7DX Architecture: Beyond Style places developments in art, architecture and design within the context of The focus of the session will be on the Convener: Allan Haines, University of environmentalism as a cultural and political relationship between image and text. Papers Central England, Birmingham School of movement can perform a very useful role on art and industry will, of course, be Architecture, Faculty of the Built at the moment: by helping to clarify the welcome, but the range of subjects in this Environment, Perry Barr, Birmingham B42 confusing range of current ideas and issues session will be broader than that of the 2SU and explaining their origins it can offer a main Conference. Contributions are invited critique of current practice and orthodoxy. on: painting and literature; book illustration The question of style has shifted from The study of art and design or ecology over and other applied arts; the critical reception 18th-century traditionalism to later the last twenty-five or so years can therefore of the Pre-Raphaelites and their followers; eclecticism, overtaken by a 20th-century help to contextualise current practice, and feminist issues, the relationship between style, and finally to a pluralistic, personal ecologically based research into the history the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and the response. These modifications have been of art and design in this and earlier periods Aesthetic and Arts and Crafts Movements; accompanied by a changing emphasis on can provide a new perspective on the nature the influence of the Pre-Raphaelites and the unity between form and content. of art and design in pre-industrial and their followers on writers and artists abroad. According to Wolfflin, the world-view industrial societies and lead to the Speakers so far include Mr Stephen of an era is embodied in a style; more reassessment of familiar material. Wildman (Deputy Keeper (Prints and recently, style operates as a critique of This session will explore some of these Drawings) Birmingham Museums and Art prevailing conditions. issues via history and current practice and Gallery): 'Unregenerated charms': Ford Interpretations and the role of style, is intended to be inter- or multi-disciplinary Madox Brown's illustrations of Byron; Dr coupled with the influence of the media, in nature. Contributions are invited from Alastair Grieve (University of East Anglia): serve to question the relationship of form different fields and could include: Theory, Highland rocks, water, girls, Clough, to meaning in architecture. The range of methodology and historiography; Pre- Ruskin and Millais in 1853; Dr Kate Flint potential topics extends to notions of industrial design and society: a model for (Winacre College, Faculty of English, authenticity and style, the continued ecological design? Pre-colonial art and Oxford University): Blindness and Insight: displacement of style by function, ideas of design in the Third World; 19th-century Millais' The Blind Girl and the limits of deep and surface style, and the role of precursors: industrial society and its critics; representation; Professor Dianne Macleod, personal style. Papers are welcome from Early green thinkers: Ruskin, Morris, (University of California, Davis): Pre- 19th- and 20th-century areas of interest. Mumford, Geddes; Alternative Raphaelite Patrons: Art and Industry. communities in the 19th century; The Art, Design and Ecology Modern Movement and Ecology: was the Museology Modern Movement ecologically philistine? Convener: Dr Pauline Madge, University National Socialism and eco-art and design Conveners: Dr Mark Evans, Department of Central England, Birmingham Institute in Germany in the 30s; Alternative of Art, National Museum of Wales, Cathays of Art and Design, Gosta Green, technology and 'design for need' in the Park, Cardiff CF1 3NP; Dr Carolyn Birmingham B4 7DX 70s; Design and appropriate technology Sargentson, Furniture and Woodwork since the 60s; Victor Papenek: a re• Collection, Victoria and Albert Museum, appraisal; Gui Bonsiepe and design in Latin In recent years environmentalism and the Cromwell Road, South Kensington, America; Green Design and Green concept of ecology has led to some London SW7 2RL Capitalism; Green Consumerism and its rethinking in all professions and academic critics; Art design, and green economics; disciplines, including the history and Currently, many museum curators are Art and radical ecology; Eco-feminism and practice of art, architecture and design. caught between the development of art and its implications for art and design; Ecology Eco-design puts into question the paradigms design history away from their traditional and fashion; Ecological design and of design and industrial production and strong point of object-based research and postmodernism; Eco-architecture: consumption which have long been taken the increasing emphasis within museums buildings and health; The Sustainable City. for granted and eco-art has also raised on managerial skills at the expense of

6 BIRMINGHAM CONFERENCE

scholarly knowledge. New lines of enquiry, than simply documenting an incident in the of prototypic and current systems; frequently reapplied from other disciplines, history of scientific illustration. Institutional perspectives; User needs; influence principles of display and Overview of current progress; Emerging interpretation, while steady progress in the Silversmithing and Jewellery trends. physical analysis of works of art has transformed the role of the scholarly curator Convener: Dr Kenneth Quickenden, Architecture and National Identity vis d vis that of the conservator or scientific University of Central England, Birmingham advisor. This session seeks to address the Institute of Art and Design, Gosta Green, Convener: Professor Toshio Watanabe, above issues, highlighting both the links Birmingham B4 7DX Chelsea College of Art and Design, and divergences between theoretical Manresa Road, London SW3 6LS; Tel: museology and empirical curatorship in Using Western examples from the 18th 071 352 3655 the fine and applied arts. Contributions are century to the modern period, this session sought from curators, conservators, will explore the interdependent themes of Already in 1882 Ernest Renan warned us academics and others concerned with the production and marketing of jewellery, not to confuse a nation with dynasty, race, theory and practice of museums and silversmithing, and their allied trades. religion, language, community of interest galleries. These items in particular have been the or geography. He called a nation a kind of subjects of much recent research, some of moral conscience but also pointed out that Representation in Science and which has yet to be published. The session forgetfulness is a crucial factor in the Technology will provide an opportunity for the creation of a nation. Some of his optimism discussion and dissemination of that seems misplaced now, but the issue of Convener: Professor Martin Kemp, research. national identity itself is as vivid and University of St Andrews, St Andrews, relevant as ever. Fife KYI6 9AL Application of Interactive Computer This session will explore how the issue Systems to Art and Design History of national identity related in particular to The visual image has played a vital role in architecture. Since the 18th century, science and technology, not just in Convener: Andy Saxon, Interactive Media architecture was used as one of the most illustration but also in processes of Coordinator, University of Central England, powerful means for expressing national visualisation and mental modelling. Even Birmingham Institute of Art and Design, identity. Some public buildings, such as considered strictly as illustration, the visual Gosta Green Birmingham B4 7DX; Tel. 021 the Houses of Parliament or the Sydney image in science is far more complex than 3315870 (24-hour answering machine); Fax: Opera House, became for many the symbol is often acknowledged, and involves 021 333 6020 (24-hour access) of a particular nationhood itself. How did interlocked questions of technique, the patrons or the architects try to express medium, production, patronage, viewing The arrival of interactive computer systems national identity in a building? How was a and reception. We need to take into account in the Art and Design History area offers particular building then received by the both the semantics of the visual image in users access to information on a hitherto people whose national identity it purported itself and in relation to written texts. In unparalleled scale. Point of information; to represent? Or by those whose identity it terms of visualisation, we need to analyse public access; collections management; ignored? How do we gauge success in how the resources of representation relate multimedia databasing and scientific these matters and what, in architectural to the types of conceptual modelling that analysis are some of the areas that have terms, contributes towards the formation have been involved in the generation and benefited from involvement with new of such identity? How does architectural communication of ideas, observations, technology. style then relate to these issues? Can, for example, a seemingly universal style such structures and processes in the various kinds This session seeks to address philo• as Neo-Classicism represent a particular of sciences and technologies. The range of sophical and practical issues facing national identity? In order to try to answer potential topics extends from ancient contemporary development and imple• these questions, we need to look into the science (eg why Greek anatomists decried mentation of Art and Design History cross-currents of conflicting allegiances illustration) to recent techniques of interactive systems. Contributors are and ideologies. computer modelling, from the linear invited to explore the 'interface' between diagrams of geometry to the naturalistic the specialist areas of Art and Design It is intended that this session will deal depictions of natural history, and from the History and Interactive Systems Develop• with examples both from what is commonly technical drawing to the photograph. All ment, including, but not limited to: The perceived as the centre and from the margin, the papers will be expected to examine how impact of new technology; Issues pertaining eg Eastern as well as Western Europe, non- the images work in their contexts rather to systems development; Demonstration European as well as European nations.

7 BIRMINGHAM CONFERENCE

Modern Photojournalism Art and Class perfect functionalism, outside the vagaries of taste and uncontaminated by the need to Convener: Michael Hallet, University of Convener: Dr Shearer West, University of pander to visual desire. Yet it has also been Central England, Birmingham Institute of Leicester, Department of Art History, relentlessly anthropomorphised and Art and Design, Gosta Green, Birmingham University Road, Leicester LEI 7RH invested with hope and fear. B4 7DX How unique is the experience of the past Since the so-called 'collapse of two hundred years? Are the much vaunted The history and place of 'modern communism' and the concommitant crisis 'invisible technologies' finally consigning photojournalism' within photographic in marxist theory, the issue of class has the machine as visual metaphor to history is being continually re-evaluated, virtually disappeared from the academic irredeemable quaintness? Contributions particularly within a social and cultural agenda. Recent art-historical debates tend are invited from all areas of art history. context. The scope of this call for papers to undermine the question of class further: ranges from the developments of pictorial discourse theory allows the issue to be Utopia: Idea and Image journalism in the mid- to late 1920s in subsumed within a wider field of power Germany through to the current expansion relations, while psychoanalysis neutralises Convener: Simon Sadler, University of and use of new technologies. Of particular it entirely. This session aims to reinvestigate Central England, Birmingham Institute of interest would be the inter-relationships of the issue of class through two principal Art and Design, Gosta Green, Birmingham the German pictorial magazines of the late means: (i) papers which examine the B4 7DX 1920s; relationships between image, text theoretical implications of class in a post- and layout; the concerns of 'truth' within marxist, postmodernist period (this can Birmingham boasts one of the country's the electronic imaging context. Papers include arguments about the obsolescence most famous model settlements, encompassing the precursors of modern of class as a concept) and (ii) papers which Bournville, but envisagements of perfect photojournalism would also be welcome. focus on specific historical problems in places have always been contested. It is which class identity and class construction intended that this session should explore Workers and Art play a prominent role. ideas of Utopia and dystopia from their inception to the present day. Any Utopian Convener: Nicholas Tromans, Barber DeDiversisArtibus: Metalwork and other or dystopian theme from architecture, Institute of Fine Arts, University of arts of design before 1450 design, literature and cultural theory will Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 be considered for presentation, and papers 2TT Conveners: Virginia Glen, Royal Scottish on Utopian and dystopian visions in the fine Museum, and Robert Gibbs, University of arts are particularly welcome. This session will examine some of the Glasgow, Department of Art History, ways in which manual workers have been Glasgow G12 8QQ Public Art and Industrial Process presented in the visual arts from prehistory to the present day. The intention is to take Before the 15th-century humanist Convener: Michael Diamond, Birmingham a traditional iconographic approach to the 'Renaissance' the so-called Fine Arts were Museums and Art Gallery, Chamberlain subject, and papers will be expected to not privileged; indeed metalwork and Square, Birmingham B3 3DH make a fairly rigorous survey of the relevant j ewellery constituted the ars sacra on which material from within geographically and the most costly commissions were lavished This session will focus on contemporary chronologically well-defined areas. and to which the greatest of medieval artists issues associated with public art. These are Especially welcome would be papers like Nicholas of Verdun dedicated likely to include the relationship between dealing with less conspicuous themselves. This session will explore the the artists and some of the industrial representations of workers, such as those current state of research in this and related processes now being used, the role of to be found in religious and mythological fields. sponsors, and the relationship between images, and papers treating pre-industrial public art and the public. Contributions revolutions topics generally. Other The Iconography of the Machine concerned with these and related issues are interesting approaches might include the Convener: John Glaves-Smith, welcome. analysis of workers' own images of Staffordshire University, School of Arts, themselves (eg the art of guilds, trade College Road, Stoke on Trent, ST4 2DE unions, and friendly societies) or of ancient Greek, Roman or Egyptian art. The image of the machine in art has a dual aspect. It has stood as the exemplar of a

8 BIRMINGHAM CONFERENCE

Women as Patrons of Renaissance Art: industrial society. This session seeks to Drawing 1400-1600: Invention and 1300-1600 explore that relationship by looking at the Innovation ways in which the literature which has Convener: Dr Jaynie Anderson, 40 Regency developed in order to speak of the Convener: Stuart Currie (Birkbeck College) Square, Brighton BN1 2FJ experience of art and to express the worth 4 Hazledene Road, Chiswick, London W4 of creative endeavour has been affected by 3JB Papers are invited which address aspects of the way in which ideas concerning value women's patronage in Renaissance Europe, have been articulated within society as a This session aims to provide a forum for whether secular or ecclesiastical. They whole. Has the terminology of art criticism the discussion and reassessment of the many may include princesses, consorts of rulers, repeated, added to, or contradicted other inventive ways in which artists utilised widows and nuns. Particular attention will accounts of value? What was the drawing between the late Medieval and be devoted to historical responses to relationship between the art criticism which early Baroque periods. imagery commissioned by women, the legal developed in newspapers and periodicals It will investigate the drawing constraints of female patronage, and during the 19th century and the practices of procedures and technical innovations women's roles not only as patrons of art artists themselves? Did the evocative style employed by artists as they sought and architecture, but also in the decorative of writing developed by writers such as appropriate visual responses to new artistic arts, fashion and printing, areas that have Hazlitt emerge in response to the perceived challenges and developments in subject been marginalised by traditional histories need to develop a form of writing about art matter which arose with the political, of patronage. which evades the demands of a commercial religious, scientific and cultural changes Papers will include: Dr Catherine King society increasingly inclined to construe that took place during the Renaissance. (The Open University): Women and value in terms of exchange of commodities? Consideration will also be given to the antiquity, redefining the feminine. How does this relate to the forms of criticism expansions in drawing practice which and evocation to be found in the work of accompanied the proliferation of Evocation, Description, and Evaluation: more recent writers concerned to proffer specialised areas of artistic activity such as the Languages of Art Criticism from the possibility of aesthetic experience? printmaking, the study of anatomy, tapestry Reynolds to Bell Speakers include: John Storey: The designing, ephemeral decorative schemes Inescapable Terrain; The Rediscovery of and other design-related areas. Conveners: Dr Paul Barlow (Northumbria Value; Colin Trodd: Representing the Further points of departure will be the University), 121 Pitville Avenue, Mossley Genesis of Value and the limits of relationship of drawings to concepts of Hill, LI 8 7JF; Dr Colin Trodd (Sunderland landscape: G.F. Watts, The First Oyster reality, rhetoric and decorum and to University) Eater (1875); Paul Usherwood: William questions of disegno and maniera. Bell Scott and the Idea of Northern Although the session intends to focus on Recently the question of value has come to Philistinism; Paul Barlow: The Descriptive the 15th and 16th centuries, contributions feature with increasing prominence in Elegy: Hazlitt and the Language of Art of a comparative nature will be welcome contemporary debate about cultural Criticism; Tim Barringer: The Art of from across the wider chronological field. experience. This concern makes it both Industry: Responses to Sharpes 'The Forge; timely and important to reconsider the Bob Priest: The Artists' Word: The language through which value has been Emergence ofthe Artist's Explanatory Text expressed in art criticism From the end of in the Victorian Art World; M. the 18th century through the 20th century Giebelhausen: The Rituals of Value: The the languages of art criticism have role of religion in the criticism of the Pre- undergone considerable change and Raphaelites; Peter Quin: Exhibition development. These developments may Criticism and the Rhetorics of Disputes be related to the emergence of modern over Value: Locality and Value.

9 CONFERENCE NEWS SECULAR SCULPTURE 1350-1550 6-7 April 1994 Beaumont Hall, University of Leicester Call for Papers Phillip Lindley and Thomas Frangenberg Papers are invited on this subject, where Potential contributors should send short of the History of Art Department, Leicester the intention is to avoid areas such as summaries of their proposed papers to: University, are organising a Conference on portraiture, focusing on less well-known Dr Phillip Lindley, History of Art Dept, Secular Sculpture in Europe, to be held just aspects of secular sculpture. It is intended University of Leicester, LEI 7RH. prior to the Association of Art Historians' that the papers will be published. Birmingham Conference. IMAGINING THE CITY IN LITERATURE, ART AND MUSIC 7-8 April 1994 University of Nottingham Organised by the Urban History Group Call for Papers

The Urban History Group is organising its Papers are welcomed from scholars with For further information and offers of 1994 conference around the theme an interest in social and cultural history, art papers contact: Dr Stana Nenadic, 'Imagining the City in Literature, Art and and architectural history, music and Department of Economic and Social Music'. The aim is to discuss the literature. History, University of Edinburgh, George relationship between the city and the It is intended that a selection of the Square, Edinburgh EH8 9JY. creative imagination, and to consider the papers presented at the conference will Tel: 031 650 3839. impact of the imagined city on the evolution later appear in a special edition of the of cities in the real world, and on society in journal Urban History, published by the past and present. Cambridge University Press.

PORTRAITURE AND THE PROBLEMATICS OF REPRESENTATION September 24-25 1993 Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester A two-day conference organised with the support of the University of Manchester, the British Academy and the Association of Art Historians

Keynote speakers: Malcolm Bowie (All Sessions: Definitions; Class and For further details of the programme, Souls College, Oxford) Proust and the Portrayed Identity; Photography and accommodation and a booking form, please Portrait; Joseph Koerner (Harvard System; Portrait Modes: The Eighteenth contact: University) Family Portrait, Patricia Century; The Portrait Transaction; Truth Joanna Woodall Simons (University of Michigan, Ann and Likeness. Courtauld Institute of Art Arbor) Homosociality and Erotics in Italian Somerset House Renaissance Portraiture; Marilyn Strathern Organisers: Marcia Pointon, Department Strand (University of Cambridge) Pre-figured of Art History, University of Manchester London WC2R ORN Features: a View from the Papua New Ml3 9PL; Joanna Woodall, Courtauld Tel: 071 872 0220. Guinea Highlands. Institute of Art.

10 CONFERENCE NEWS JOSEPH BEUYS Saturday 6 November 1993, 10.00 am - 6.00 pm Tate Gallery Liverpool This major one-day conference, organised Beuys believed that an artist should Director of the Stedelijk Museum, who in collaboration with Liverpool University, project his work and ideas beyond the will chair the conference, Friedhelm and featuring international speakers, will sphere of aesthetics and the limitations of Mennekes, author of'Beuys on Christ' and examine the ideas and art of Joseph Beuys museums and art schools. He believed that Pamela Kort, a Beuys scholar who has - one of the foremost figures in post-war it should extend to all areas of human worked with the Dia Foundation, New York. Europe. Organised to coincide with Tate activity, whether social, political, Tickets for the conference are priced at Gallery Liverpool' s Joseph Beuy' s display, economic, or spiritual. The conference £25 (£12.50 concessions) and can be 'The Revolution Is Us' (on until 3 January will examine these ideas and their legacy. booked through: The Education 1994), the conference will explore Beuys' Specialist speakers from Europe and Department, Tate Gallery, Albert Dock, revolutionary theories, which challenged America - many of whom knew Beuys Liverpool, L3 4BB, Tel: 051 709 3223, the traditional role of the sculptor in society. personally - will include Rudi Fuchs, Fax: 051 709 3122. RENAISSANCE VENICE: CONTINUITY AND CHANGE WOMAN, 1-2 October 1993 IMAGE, The Folger Institute, Washington DC TEXT

This conference on Venice and its the contributions of humanism and music Saturday 13 November dominions in the Renaissance will bring to Venetian culture. 1993 together an international team of scholars The programme has been organised by reflecting a wide spectrum of research John Easton Law of University College, Sheffield Hallam interests and approaches. Topics will Swansea and Benjamin G Kohl of Vassar University include: the culture of servants, the role of College. A one-day interdisciplinary the scuole piccole, the position of Jewish Details from: Renaissance Venice, The merchants, the creation of provincial elites, Folger Institute, 201 East Capitol Street, conference the identity of the Venetian patriciate, and SE Washington DC 20003, USA. Conference details from: Judy Simons English Studies IMPRESSIONS OF School of Cultural Studies Sheffield Hallam University MODERNITY IN FRENCH ART Collegiate Crescent AND LITERATURE 1850-1900 Sheffield S10 2BP. 6 November 1993 University of Bristol

This one-day conference is organised by David Scott (Trinity College, Dublin) the University of Bristol's Department of Joy Newton (University of Glasgow) French in collaboration with the History of Michael Packenham University of Exeter) Art Department. The aim is to investigate For further details, please contact: notions and manifestations of modernity Richard Hobbs from realism to impressionism and Department of French symbolism through a variety of artistic 19 Woodland Road media and literary genres. Bristol BS8 1TE The speakers will be as follows: Tel: 0272 303030. John House (Courtauld Institute) Paul Smith, Richard Hobbs, Dee Reynolds (University of Bristol)

11 ANNOUNCEMENTS

FREELANCE GROUP Call for help Freelance Register In Bulletin 48 the Subcommittee of the Please! Having made the effort over the The intention is to publish the Register of Freelance Group broke the news that it past few years to make the presence of Freelance Art & Design Historians in the was in grave danger of suffering the fate Freelances felt as a significant constituency near future, in a format which can be of the Students Group - total and to remind others of the interests of this updated annually. disintegration - in the near future unless previously rather neglected constituency To enable this to happen, all those some Freelances came forward to of the Association, it would be a crying who wish to be included in the Register volunteer to serve on the Subcommittee. shame if through inertia things were to in its new format are asked to fill in the Unfortunately this call for help brought return to their previous state. Register Form insert in this issue of the little response. It seems time to make If you are willing to serve on the Bulletin. All those who are already on another plea in the hope that there might Subcommittee or help organise some kind the Register are asked to resubmit filled- now be some persons, willing and of meeting (or other activity), please in forms so that the published information available to help. In order to continue, let contact: is absolutely up to date and correct. alone expand, Freelance activities, a Brigitte Corley (Chair) Please note that only those who fill larger pool of committee members is 51 Middleway in the form and return it to Deidre necessary. In particular, we would like London NW11 6SH Robson will be included in the new to call for the help of any person who Tel: 081 455 4783 form of the Register, even if they are at might be willing to help organise a or present included. Failure to send in a meeting of Freelances later this year, to Deirdre Robson (Secretary) newly completed form will be taken as provide an opportunity for the face-to- 10 Davisville Road an indication that the person does not face contact and networking which we London W12 9SJ wish to be included! know is so often lacking for freelances. Tel: 081 743 4697.

STUDENTS GROUP

Durham Museum and Art Gallery • Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery Voluntary Work Falmouth Art Gallery • Victoria and Albert Museum As announced in Bulletin 48, opportunities Glasgow School Art Collections (paid • Walsall Museum and Art Gallery are available for students to become guide work) • Whitworth Art Gallery involved in voluntary work at museums Harrogate Museum and Art Gallery For further information please send a and art galleries around the country. The Hartlepool Museum and Art Gallery s.a.e. to Pauline de Souza, Secretary of amount of time and number of days can be Haworth Art Gallery the AAH Students Group, 13 Guildford planned by the museum or art gallery staff Hereford City Museum and Art Gallery St, Stoke-on-Trent, SST4 2EP. and yourself. The following is an up-to- Huddersfield City Museum and Art date list of places ready to accept volunteers: Gallery Contacts needed Hull City Museum and Art Gallery • Aberdeen Museum (includes Ferens Art Gallery and City of It would be helpful to me, when arranging • Ashmolean Museum and Art Gallery Hull's Visual Arts) student events around the country, to • Bankfield Museum Lillie Art Gallery (Glasgow) have the names of people involved in • Bath Museum and Art Gallery Manchester City Museum and Art university fine art or art history societies, • Batley Art Gallery Galleries as they may be able to assist with • Ben Uri Art Society (London) Middlesbrough Art Gallery organisation and funding. • Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery Museum of Modern Art (Oxford) Could student members send me such • Bradford Museum and Art Gallery National Portrait Gallery (Archive and information, or let me know if they • Castle Museum (Norfolk) Library, London) themselves would be prepared to help • Castle Museum (Nottingham) Newport Museum and Art Gallery the Students Group arrange events at • Collins Gallery (London) (Ceramics/Gwent) their university? • Courtauld Institute Galleries (London) Peterborough City Museum and Art • Derby Museum and Art Gallery Gallery Pauline de Souza, Secretary, Students • Dudley Museum and Art Gallery Peter Scott Gallery Group (see address above)

12 ANNOUNCEMENTS

MANCHESTER CITY ART GALLERIES Defiance An Alchemy of Letters Art Confronting Disability The Art of the Pen 3 July-26 September 1993 24 July-24 October 1993 Heaton Hall, Heaton Park, Prestwich, City Art Galleries, Manchester Mosley Street, Manchester

This is the first major touring expresses the increasing This exhibition of paintings and through research on the exhibition devoted to the work defiance of disabled people as tapestries by the contemporary forgotten, 1 Oth-century laws of of disabled artists. It spans a they attempt to break out of the Egyptian-British artist, Ahmed geometry governing the visual broad range of work, from predetermined limited lifestyles Moustafa is a spectacular display harmony of Arabic script. As overtly political statements imposed upon them by able- of the potency of the written a result his compositions about social perceptions of bodied society. word in Islamic cultures. express a deep knowledge of disability to personal and As artist Mansel Griffiths Ahmed Moustafa works in a this classical tradition and an honest self-images which comments, 'It's been said that wide range of media - oil and ability to extend its achieve• celebrate difference. All the art is about confrontation. If water colours, screen prints, ments through a fresh and art has grown out of the artists' offering an alternative to the woven tapestry - to create contemporary interpretation. experience of disability or existing stereotypes is con• powerful compositions which This exhibition is presented serious illness in an able- frontation then that is what I explore the visual qualities of in co-operation with Artizana bodied, 'well' world. hope the art I produce is doing.' Arabic script, as well as Gallery, Prestbury, Cheshire Defiance: Art Confronting Open daily (except Monday expressing universal ideas. The where a complementary Disability brings together and Tuesday) 10.00-1.00, artist has been awarded a PhD exhibition will take place. artists from a variety of back• 2.00-5.45; Sunday 2.00-5.45. by the Council for National Open daily 10.00-5.45; grounds. The art on display Admission free. Academic Awards for his break- Sunday 2.00-5.45. Admission free. For further information and transparencies please contact: Catharine Braithwaite, Gallery Services Officer on 061 236 5244, Fax: 061 236 7369.

Anybody wishing to be included should European Ornament New ARIAD write for an entry form to: The Editorial Gallery Database Office, Leicester Expertise Ltd, Gateway House, The Gateway, Leicester, LE2 7DP. Victoria & Albert Museum A major handicap to the development of research in art and design in the UK has been the difficulty in identifying suitably The gallery tells the story of European experienced and appropriate individuals to ornament from about 1450 to the present. act as research supervisors and external It is arranged according to five themes: examiners. • What is ornament? Following calls from a variety of sources, • How ornament travels? the ARIAD (Allison Research Index of Art • Architectural ornament Art & Design and Design) is establishing a new database • Non-architectural ornament of experienced Research Supervisors and a Looking out and looking back. History Examiners who are prepared to offer their A leaflet giving information for teachers services beyond their own institutions. It is Hourly paid teachers about the themes and objects in the gallery, expected that this new database will assist required along with suggestions on preparing for a institutions, particularly those with a limited visit, activities to do in the gallery and research profile, to contact individuals who All qualified candidates available ideas to follow up back at school, can be can give their support. It is hoped that all from September please contact: obtained free from: Sarah Briggs, Education will co-operate in making this contribution Roger Hilyer at Sheffield Hallam Department, V&A Museum,Cromwell to the professional development of research University on 0742 532699. Road, London SW7 2RL. in art and design a success.

13 ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Witt and Conway Library Appeals Research proposal

In 1992 the University of London imposed Trust. But following the present severe The AAH would like to survey the provision cuts of £ 100,000 at the Witt and Conway cuts we now need an even greater degree of of art and design history on pre-degree art Libraries in the Courtauld Institute. These funding and this is why the Witt and and design courses in the Further Education photographic archives, which are of Conway have started appeals and are sector. international importance, have been built engaged in collaborative fund-raising The aim of the survey would be to look up to serve the needs of scholars and ventures. Our aim is to achieve an at examples of what it taught, how it is students from all over the world, as well as endowment of £3 million which will secure taught and the students' responses to the to provide invaluable information to the future existence of the libraries. courses offered. The researcher will be dealers, auctioneers and interested members Members of the Association of Art expected to identify the key areas covered, of the public. Ironically, it is the wide Historians will, I am sure, be concerned as well as the skills acquired by the students. importance of the libraries which has led about the Witt and Conway's present The AAH would like to hear from anyone the University to argue that their size difficulties. Support of any kind will be interested in taking up this idea and exceeds the University' s needs, thus making most welcome. developing it into a research project. them open to financial cuts. Please see the enclosed leaflet for details Please forward your name and address The Witt and Conway are no strangers of how to contribute. and details to Shirley Walker, 24 Sheldon to University parsimony and have been Avenue, London N6 4JT. considerably indebted to private support John Sunderland, for the last twenty years, in particular from Witt and Conway Libraries the 'Friends of the Courtauld' and the Getty July 1993