Re-negotiating Nineteenth-Century History Through the Arts
11th Mar 2023 11:00am-6:00pm
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/re-negotiating-nineteenth-century-history-through-the-arts-tickets-482291967257
Hybrid event: online and at University of Surrey
The nineteenth century, or the Victorian period, has long held a fascination for artists, writers, and theatre-makers. The adaptation and appropriation of Victorian fictions, life-stories, and events are a part of our cultural life. From Susan Lori-Parkes’s play Venus to musicals like Oliver! and Netflix’s much-binged Bridgerton, cultural encounters with the nineteenth century re-align our understanding of the period and its relationship to our contemporary moment. Many critics have asked why we are so fascinated with this period of history, but we want to add to that question how do we confront – through art – the most problematic aspects of our nineteenth-century past? How do individuals and groups that were marginalised in the nineteenth century find a voice in contemporary art? Who or what do we hold responsible for past acts of marginalisation or violence? How do we recognise, admit, or apologise for faults that took place in the past? How might we accommodate a more global understanding of the nineteenth-century world whilst acknowledging the ongoing social, cultural, and political effects of imperialism?
This event forms part of a Techne funded Conflux and workshop series entitled ‘Responsibility for Historical Wrongs: New Perspectives from the Humanities and Arts’. The Conflux was inspired by recent decentralised political movements, protesting against inequality and demanding we take responsibility for the past actions of specific groups or societies, which invite us to think deeply about our theoretical frameworks and artistic interventions regarding blame and responsibility for historical wrongs.
This event brings together established writers and theatre-makers:
Jaclyn Backhaus
Cherie Jones
Qudsia Akhtar
and offers the opportunity for researchers (with a particular interest in those at PhD and early career stages) to join in the conversation as part of convened roundtables where research can be shared and ideas generated.
If you would like to give a 5 minute presentation about your creative or critical work in this field please send a 100 word proposal to Dr Beth Palmer, University of Surrey: b.palmer@surrey.ac.uk by 31st Jan 2023.
