The Department of English would like to invite all of its students to our Hello-Ween Welcome Party
We look forward to seeing you there!
Old Masters: Exhibition of Australian Indigenous Art
On the occasion of the guest lecture on Australian Indigenous Art, delivered by Ruth Constantine (Second Secretary of the Australian Embassy in Vienna), the Australian Embassy made available an exhibition on traditional indigenous art curated by the National Museum Australia. Under the title of “Old Masters”, the exhibition, which consists of 15 roll-up panels showing traditional bark paintings, can be visited in the corridor on the East side connecting the central with the southern wing of the university. This exhibition is an Austrian premiere and is related to the seminar on Australian Indigenous Literature: Art and Authenticity taught by Daniela Miksche. The exhibition will be displayed until mid-May.
Guest lecture: “The Old Masters continuing to teach contemporary Australia” – A presentation about the Old Masters Exhibition from the National Museum of Australia
Guest Lecture, Ms Ruth Constantine; Australian Embassy
Location: HS 6 (Mensagebäude)
Date/time: March 24, 10:00-11:30
Abstract
Aboriginal Art, in particular the so-called ‘traditional’ forms such as the “Old Masters”, has become immensely popular worldwide. For example, such works are highly sought after by Australian and international tourists and examples can be found in many homes, businesses and public venues. The designs are also used on clothing, furniture, stationary, and a range of other products. For the most part, however, while admired for its artistic and cultural authenticity – a characteristic that authenticates a tourist’s experiences – many of the acquirers are unaware of the Iconography, or religious and secular symbolism and conventions, behind such works.
Australia has many Aboriginal Cultures. There is not one pan-Australia Culture, although there are often strong similarities in the cultural beliefs and practices of neighbouring groups.
Fortunately, nowadays the artists share the stories with us, and we can identify what part of the painting refers to what aspect of the story. Nonetheless, the full meaning – and the ability to fully read the pictures in their entire cultural context – remains the preserve of the artists’ cultures themselves. Through looking at the symbols and structures of the works, we can rapidly identify what part of Australia, and what cultural groups, they come from.
About the speaker:
Ruth Constantine
Second Secretary, Australian Embassy and Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Vienna.
Ms Constantine is an Australian diplomat currently posted with bilateral and multilateral accreditations in Vienna, Austria with prior service in Hanoi, Vietnam. Her experience in the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade includes roles in the US and Indo-Pacific Strategy Division, the India Economic Strategy Taskforce and the National Security Strategy Branch in International Security Division. Prior to joining DFAT, Ms Constantine worked as an ethnographic and political consultant for a Yangon-based non-government organisation and undertook postgraduate research on migration and trafficking in Myanmar and Thailand. Ms Constantine holds a Bachelor of Arts with First Class Honours and the University Medal from the University of Queensland.
Contact:
Alexander Onysko, Department of English
Guest lecture: THE ROLE OF DIGITAL HUMANITIES IN CHICANX, LATINX, AND CARIBBEAN STUDIES
Abstract:
In this talk, Megan Medeiros discusses the real-world application of Chicanx, Latinx, and Caribbean Studies through digital humanities with a special focus on the narratives of undocumented Americans. Her digital essay, “I am Undocumented”: Mediation & Self-Mediation in Undocumented Narratives analyzes the mediation and bias present in a generically diverse collection of narratives to contextualize the narratives within their genres and subgenres. The multi-media essay strives to resist imposed, harmful monolithic narratives on the Chicanx, Latinx, and undocumented communities by emphasizing the agenda present in mainstream media. In addition to her own project, Medeiros highlights several other digital humanities projects that are bridging the gap between academia and community and bringing Chicanx, Latinx, and Caribbean Studies into the public sphere.
About the presenter:
Megan N. Medeiros received her MA from James Madison University in May of 2021, where she worked closely with the new African, African American, and Diaspora Studies Center (AAAD); Latinx, Latin American, and Caribbean Studies minor (LAXC); and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies minor (WGSS). She has since worked on several digital humanities projects including Circulating American Magazines and Celebrating Simms and is the creator of the Black Firsts at JMU Timeline. She is currently starting a new digital humanities project in collaboration with AAAD and JMU’s Black Alumni Chapter to archive their history and showcase their past presidents. She continues to work with JMU’s AAAD Studies Center, LAXC minor, and WGSS minor and is a freelance writer, editor, web designer, and social media manager through her business, Medeiros Writing.
Wednesday, November 10th 2021
16:00-18:00
Online
Kontaktperson: Mario Grill (mario [dot] grill [at] aau [dot] at)
