Call for Papers

The Xth International Symposium of the Pacific Arts Association is pleased to call for papers on Pacific Art in the 21st Century - Museums, New Global Communities and Future Trends. The symposium seeks to highlight issues surrounding the creation, dispersal, possession, repatriation, stewardship and interpretation of Pacific art in the 21st century. Please note that Michael Gunn will be travelling in the upcoming months and has forwarded all abstracts to PAA VP for North America, Christina Hellmich, who will handle all further correspondence. If you have not already submitted your paper, please now submit it to Christina Hellmich.

Scholarships

PAA has a small amount of funding to support Pacific Islanders presenting papers at the International Symposium in Rarotonga. To apply, please send a letter of request including your complete contact information (email and mailing address) and your abstract to PAA VP for North America, Christina Hellmich. You will receive confirmation of receipt of your abstract via email correspondence. The application deadline is March 30, 2010. Awards will be granted on April 15, 2010.

Key dates:

March 1, 2010: Submit Abstracts (250 words maximum) to Christina Hellmich.
April 15, 2010: Notification of Paper Acceptance

Symposium Sessions:

Symposium sessions will focus on several perspectives:

- Objects from Central and Eastern Polynesia (the Cook Islands, Society Islands, Austral Islands, Gambier Islands, Marquesas Islands, Rapa Nui) in museums and private collections: Current research on 19th century and earlier works, including scientific testing.

- Pacific art and spirituality, including Islanders' views today on the relationship between objects and atua (spirit beings, deified ancestors, and ‘gods') past and as part of Christian practice today.

- Contemporary work by Pacific Islander artists, including Pasifika work coming out of urban centers; how artists influence changing perceptions and understandings of Pacific culture.

- The emerging role of museum websites and other web entities dealing with Pacific art. "Virtual repatriation" - what is it? Can it work?

- Representing Pacific art and cultures: The role of libraries, archives, museums and other institutions in the Pacific in furthering the understanding of Pacific art and raising issues concerning the interpretation of Pacific art by institutions worldwide.

The symposium will also include an open session.