Artistic Intention
The Journal of American Institute for Conservation (JAIC) and the organizers of the special issue on the topic of “Artistic Intention” seek submissions.
How is artistic intention knowable? What are the limits of an artist’s authority over the ongoing existence of their works? These longstanding questions are facing new pressures. International bodies have redefined authenticity as a relative quality that is not necessarily diminished by changes to a work’s artist-sanctioned “original” state. Conservators are questioning how collections balance competing responsibilities of object access and physical preservation. Inspired by such turns, the aim of this special issue is to revisit the topic of artistic intention in conservation practice. Should a work’s living community be prioritized over the plausible wishes of its absent maker? What role does supposed intention play when a work has been irreparably decontextualized and changed? Whose interests do conservators serve, and how does navigating conflicting desires bring the profession to unexpected places? Contributions sought include short and long research articles, theoretical considerations, and technical notes.
AREAS OF INTEREST
- Areas of interest include but are not limited to:
- Historic and recent case studies which center a broad range of cultural heritage categories (e.g., sculpture, painting, textile, material culture, archaeological objects, performance, and installation-based works).
- Contributions from professionals in allied fields (e.g., artists, art historians, archaeologists, and anthropologists).
- Methodological or ethical reflections.
SUBMISSION DETAILS
Authors are invited to submit an abstract in Word format (500 words max), including title of the proposed paper, and an article outline to the organizers by January 12, 2025 atannika.finne@gmail.com.
The organizers will notify authors by February 9, 2025, of their decision, and selected articles must be submitted in their entirety through our online portal by August 29, 2025. https://rp.tandfonline.com/submission/create?journalCode=YJAC
Guidelines and style guide are at www.culturalheritage.org/journal.
You may send inquiries about the special issue to Annika Svendsen Finne and Emily B. Frank at the above email address.
Conserving Cotton Canvas
The Journal of American Institute for Conservation (JAIC) and the organizers of the special issue on the topic of “Conserving Cotton Canvas” seek submissions.
The aim of the special issue is to provide a compendium of the current state of conservation research into cotton canvas. It seeks to be interdisciplinary and inclusive of all fields of conservation and encourages contributors from diverse backgrounds and specializations. It also aims to reach beyond painting conservation to develop interdisciplinary collaborative bonds while foregrounding new and contemporary approaches to the preservation cotton canvas found in cultural heritage.
We invite papers which critique and develop understanding of the material, technical and functional characteristics as well as conceptual implications of cotton canvas found in cultural heritage objects.
Article types sought include research articles, rapid communications, technical notes (similar to expanded tips), literature reviews, and ethical considerations.
- The material and deterioration characteristics of cotton canvas.
- The treatment methods for the cleaning and structural repair of cotton canvas/fabric.
- The use of cotton canvas/fabric in conceptual and contemporary art and the role of the artists’ choices.
- The historical and contemporary manufacture of cotton canvas.
- The preservation care of works on cotton canvas/fabric including its care, storage and display.
- Conservation case studies.
- Decision-making models for conservation of cotton canvas.
- Historical and contemporary uses of cotton canvas in cultural heritage.
- Research into other woven cotton fabrics is also encouraged.
TIMELINE
- Abstracts due to organizers: December 1, 2024
- Response to authors with a decision about submissions, i.e., does the abstract fit the topic: February 1, 2025
- Deadline for submissions of FULL papers to JAIC using our online portal: August 1, 2025.
Guidelines and style guide are at www.culturalheritage.org/journal.
SUBMISSION PROCEDURE
Prospective authors should submit an abstract (500 words max) as a word document or PDF file to conservingcottoncanvas@gmail.com. The abstract should describe:
- The name and contact information of the author(s), along with a brief bio.
- The title of the proposed paper.
- An abstract of the paper proposed.
If prospective authors have more questions, please contact one of the organizers* by writing to conservingcottoncanvas@gmail.com.
*Special issue organizers: Emily Mulvihill, Ellen Davis, Matthew Skopek, and Michael Duffy.