State History

This article originally appeared on the Art History and Visual Studies Graduate Association, University of Victoria website.

As we entered a new decade, the human race was moving forward at a breathtaking pace. The unforeseen COVID-19 pandemic halted this marathon, pausing economic and social activities. The pursuant silence allowed us to hear the voices that had been suppressed underneath the hustle and bustle of 21st century life. The long-muffled protests of underrepresented groups, ecologies and societies became visible. Therefore, this year, the Virtual Visual Impetus conference will focus on ‘Art, Crises and New Possibilities’. 

Throughout history, human beings have experienced and continue to face a myriad of crises including conflict, oppression and environmental devastation. This conference aims to revisit those crises in the light of current global conditions, investigating how the practices and perceptions in the arts are altered. In 2020, we invite participants to reflect on the social, economic and ecological crises that the art world faces. How will the consequences of crises continue to resonate in the near and distant future? Can the arts be used as a catalyst for change in difficult times?  Some may cause obvious social and cultural disruptions, but others emerge in retrospect and need to be revisited. Read more...