IMMA | texts is an annual call for research papers where IMMA invites researchers to respond to aspects of IMMA’s programmes and activities focusing on a particular theme. Papers are peer reviewed and selected papers will be published in an annual journal and on IMMA’s website.
IMMA is seeking papers addressing the subject of art and politics. While all paper proposals will be considered, we welcome papers from students and researchers and also papers that address aspects of IMMA’s Exhibitions, Collections, and Engagement and Learning Programmes.
For example, in 2019 IMMA is showing the work of Colombian artist Doris Salcedo in her solo exhibition Acts of Mourning, (April – July, 2019); work from artist Les Levine in the exhibition The Troubles: An Artist’s Document of Ulster, (Feb – May, 2019); and also a Derek Jarman’s retrospective entitled Protest!, (Nov 2019 – Feb 2020).
The organisers would also like to encourage applicants to take account of some or all of the following questions in the development of their ideas:
What is political art?
What forms can political art take?
What is the relationship between art and politics?
What is the relevance of politics to visual art, and vice versa?
Must art effect ‘change’ in order to be considered political?
Can an artist control the political import of their work?
Are certain kinds of political art more acceptable than others?
Should art be political?
Can art be non-political? If so, when?
Should art be, under given circumstances, a political tool?
A select number of papers will be published in IMMA’s online magazine and in a stand-alone publication IMMA|texts. Selected papers will receive an honorarium of €200.
For further information please contact Lisa Moran, Curator: Engagement and Learning, [email protected]
Download the IMMA | texts Call for Papers (.pdf)