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LIEU : Norwich CastleDATE : 27 juin 2015‘The Skin of Objects: Rethinking Surfaces in Visual Culture’27th June 2015, 10:00-17:00 Norwich CastleOrganised by University of East Anglia, Sainsbury Institute For Art &#38; Norwich Castle &#38; MuseumHistories and theories of visual representation have often reduced themeaning of ‘surface’ to superficial elements rather than recognisingthem as a component which feeds into and activates the visual artwork’ssignificance. In the visual arts surface has often been seen as sourcesof meanings and visual information or a self-contained aesthetic whole,exclusively associated with decoration or ornamentation. Jeff Koonsprompts us to grapple with what is manifest in the world of objects:skins, materials, even picture planes and varnishes. Koons’ metal‘balloon animals’ and ‘cartoonish’ mirrors can offer a point ofdeparture to think about the wider field of the weight of surfaceeffects. While certain kinds of object are often treated as if theylack a surface, or are read as entirely ‘surface’. Certain objectsprompt us to think about the skin that enfolds them and yet others seemto blind us to their interior. From new developments in Phenomenologyand Affect Theory to New Materialism and Thing Theory, we welcomepapers which challenge received ideas concerning ‘surface’ in a varietyof historical and contemporary contexts.The Sainsbury Centre for Modern Art, UEA and Norwich Castle Museumwelcome diverse papers on art historical and visual cultural subjects,thinking through the idea of ‘Surface’. We encourage submissions whichcritique the idea of surface as supplement, and which engage relatedconcepts such as: friction, edge, depth and (in)visibility.This one-day conference will include guest speakers and an introductorytour of Norwich Castle Museum’s new Jeff Koons exhibition, as well ascoffee, a drinks reception and an optional lunch.To submit a proposal for a 20-minute presentation, we require anabstract not exceeding 300 words and a brief professional biography of100 words by 25th March 2015. All submissions should be sent tosurfacesuea2015@gmail.com.