Invitation to the Art and Science Conference „Experiencing Modernity. Between Utopia and Anti-utopia”, 19-21 March 2024

The Institute of Visual Arts of the Jan Kochanowski University of Kielce is pleased to invite researchers and artists to participate in the Art and Science Conference „Experiencing Modernity. Between Utopia and Anti-utopia”, which will take place on March 19-21, 2024. The initiative stems from the continuation of the project initiated in September 2022, involving the creative reception of modernist heritage in art. Held at that time, the international artistic residency in the building of the former community center, now the Culture Park in Starachowice, became the starting point for the activities of invited intermedia artists from Poland, Slovakia, and Ukraine. They created several art interventions using traditional media, such as painting, installations, environmental art, multimedia, and performative forms; the interventions are symbiotically related to functional interiors, elements of art déco, and social realism architecture. The effects of this meeting and the reflections undertaken oblige us to seek a further continuation to develop a broader range of works based on interdisciplinary cooperation with representatives of other fields, disciplines of science, art, and design. The planned events will become an opportunity to present the artistic achievements of the previously mentioned artistic residency, expand with the concepts of subsequently invited artists, and undertake discussions within the framework of the planned conference panels.

Organizing Committee:
mgr Magdalena Jagodzka
mgr Michalina Kulpa
mgr Aleksandra Pałgan

Modernity refers to the period of social, cultural, and technological development, covering the second half of the 19th and the first half of the 20th. It is a time when man creates prospects for growth based on the belief, the power of rationalism, and individualism. Perspectives of progress, ideal society, cities and villages, and life organization expressed in the different areas kindled hopes and imaginations, inspiring cooperation for a better tomorrow. The spinning of utopian perspectives free from defects and injustice was a tool for criticizing the social situation as an inspiration for change. Expected results were in contrast to reality. The radicalism characteristic of the time, the black-and-white perception of fact, and blind faith in defined assumptions consequently led to opposite intentions, deepening the unfavorable processes of destruction and fostering progressive totalitarianism.

The exhibitions and the conference will become an opportunity to exchange knowledge, views, and experiences, referring to the following aspects:
– the legacy of modernity in art, design, and architecture in Poland and abroad, including known and unknown manifestations of the avant-garde, neo-avant-garde, and post-avant-garde; the achievements of modernity of the Świętokrzyskie region, including, among others, the architecture of the Central Industrial Regional,
– the reception of modernist ideas, in the perspective of analysis of unfulfilled visions of the future, the new man, society, new reality,
– art, design, architecture in the service of society – postulates developed during modernity and their translation into reality; utopias, dystopias, anti-utopias and their manifestations in culture, art, modern society,
– internal contradictions and paradoxes of artistic ideas of the first half of the twentieth century, the application of which led or could lead to the opposite of the assumed results, including, among others, the entanglement of art, design, and architecture in the totalitarianism of the time,
– the legacy of modernity to contemporary instability and crises.

Proposals for conference presentations should be submitted via the provided registration form by March 3rd, 2024, including, among others, the title of the paper, abstract (maximum 1500 characters), and participant bio (maximum 1000 characters) in Polish and English. Time discipline will be observed during the conference, assuming speeches are at most 20 minutes. The event will include panels in Polish and English. It is possible to present a speech online.

Please direct any questions to maciej.zdanowicz@ujk.edu.pl

Registration form address:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfjU35uxIx2y2uT2mMO5gQo6AR9k7Mb87tCCBR3-67VMj8yXA/viewform?usp=sf_link