Call for Papers: Art and Philosophy in Eastern Europe Since 1945 Workshop in Florence

A trans-disciplinary workshop titled "Trading Zones: Art and Philosophy in Eastern Europe since 1945" will be held on June 26-27, 2025, at the Art Historical Institute – Max-Planck-Institute in Florence, Italy. Organized by Hana Gründler of the Kunsthistorisches Institut in Florenz – Max Planck Institut and Sven Spieker from the University of California, Santa Barbara, the event seeks to explore the dynamic interplay between artistic practice and philosophical thought in Central and Eastern Europe post-1945. It aims to examine how artists from the region engage critically with philosophical ideas, both local and global, and how philosophers address art, moving beyond Western-centric narratives to include Eastern Europe's own theoretical traditions. The organizers view this relationship as a synergistic exchange rather than mere appropriation or commentary. Key questions include which philosophical discourses Eastern European artists have engaged with since 1945, the awareness of theorists regarding contemporary and historical art trends, and the resistance to formalism and ideological instrumentalization. Submissions require a title, abstract of up to 250 words, and a short bio in a single PDF document sent to paul.schneider@khi.fi.it by January 17, 2025. The call was published on December 10, 2024, on ARTMargins Online, emphasizing the transformative potential of this dialogue.