#2 Call for Papers: NORDIK 2025 / Sensing the Nordic

Call for Papers for the 14th triennial NORDIK Conference of Art History in the Nordic Countries, 20.–22.10.2025 (Helsinki Finland). We are happy to invite proposals for our session on multisensory aspects of art at the NORDIK 2025 Conference: Sensing the Nordic: Multisensory art and exhibition designs in a Nordic perspective

What constitutes "the Nordic", and how does it engage our senses within the realms of art and art history? This session seeks to explore the implications of a multisensory approach for the understanding of Nordic art, defined here as art that is inspired by or problematises themes of nature, cultural history, or contemporary life and culture in the Nordic region. Can a sensory perspective enable us to experience the Nordic in art and exhibitions in novel ways?

The emphasis on visual culture has significantly broadened the field of art history, fostering a less hierarchical and more empirical outlook on what constitutes compelling objects of study. However, in this process, we may have overlooked the sensory dimensions of experiencing art. Art history transcends the visual: our encounters with artworks engage all our senses. As W.J.T. Mitchell (2005) states: "There are no visual media", indicating that all visual experiences simultaneously evoke other sensory reactions and memories. Over the past two decades, there has been a burgeoning interest in the multisensory aspects of art. Investigations into olfactory, auditory, gustatory, and tactile dimensions reveal that sensory communication holds significant potential for enriching our understanding of both historical and contemporary art.

This session aims to examine how non-visual aspects are employed in artworks or exhibitions within a Nordic context. We invite papers addressing olfactory, gustatory, auditory, tactile, or multisensory artworks and exhibitions where "the Nordic" can be interpreted as a framework encompassing location, heritage, culture, or, more broadly, as a source of inspiration.

Session chair:

Dr Viveka Kjellmer, Associate Professor of Art History and Visual Studies, Department of Cultural Sciences, University of Gothenburg, viveka.kjellmer@arthist.gu.se

Please submit your proposal to session chair by 28th of February 2025.

Keywords: multisensory art—sensory activation—olfactory art—gustatory art—haptic art—auditory art

NORDIK 2025 CONFERENCE "Why so Nordic?"

Call for Papers on "Why so Nordic? The 'Nordic' as fact and fiction in art history" for the 14th triennial NORDIK Conference of Art History in the Nordic Countries, 20.–22.10.2025 (Helsinki Finland)

Deadline: 28th of February 2025

Confirmed keynote speakers:

Mathias Danbolt (Professor of Art History, University of Copenhagen)
Merike Kurisoo (Director of the Niguliste Museum and Adamson-Eric Museum)
Anna Ripatti (University Lecturer in Art History, University of Helsinki)

The NORDIK 2025 conference "Why so Nordic? The 'Nordic' as fact and fiction in art history" is organized by the Nordic Association for Art Historians NORDIK in collaboration with the University of Helsinki, Faculty of Arts, Department of Cultures, Art History. We invite scholars and all interested parties to reflect and discuss this contested concept.

The Nordic seems a powerful concept, equal parts liberating and oppressive. It has been a concept of exclusion—of colonized subjects, of the have-nots, of women—but it has also been a concept of radical alternatives to hegemony, whether in politics or art. Nordicness is defined as much from outside of the region. Romantic and racist frames of reference intermingle in fantasies of the North. Even the most powerful concepts and slogans erode with time, and the political and social structure of the Nordic welfare state with its strong cultural ambitions seems replaced by superficial branding. How has art, design and architecture contributed to the various concepts of Nordicness expressed through history? And how do we deal with the multiplicity of identities and interpretations connected to this term, today?

We hereby announce a Call for Papers for the conference. Preference will be given to paper proposals that are at a high level of reflexivity and at the forefront of research and practice in art history or related branches of study such as visual culture, critical theory, landscape studies, or museum studies. Contributions based upon artistic research and practice are highly welcome.

We will accept paper proposals for 29 sessions listed below until the 28th of February 2025. The proposals must be in English and include a title, abstract of the theme/subject of the presentation (max. 300 words), and keywords plus a short author bio (max. 100 words), and contact information. Please submit your proposal as a PDF via e-mail to the Session Chairs—see contact info on each session. Questions can be directed to the session chairs regarding each session. For general inquiries regarding the conference, contact: nordik2025@helsinki.fi.