The conference is jointly organized by the European Association for Asian Art and Archaeology (EAAA) and the Section of East Asian Art History (KGOA) at the University of Zurich.

The University of Zurich is the only institution of higher learning in Switzerland where the subject of East Asian art history can be studied as a full program. Museum research constitutes an important part of the department’s activities and its broader aim is to promote the discipline of East Asian art history, both within Switzerland and within Europe. The KGOA is proud to host the conference as a founding member of the EAAA.

The purposes of the conference are to:

• open a dialog between scholars of Asian art and archaeology and to offer a platform for the presentation and discussion of recent researches;
• highlight the significance of Asian art and archaeology researches;
• focus research on the many collections of Asian art in European collections and institutions;
• revise historical approaches that have been prevalent in the study and research of Asian art and archaeology;
• elaborate on existing art theories and methodology;
• form new research approaches and methods in Asian art and archaeology.

Conference participation

Scholars of Asian art and archaeology from Europe and beyond are invited to submit their proposals for contributions on art and archaeology of China, Japan, Korea, South, and Central Asia, as well as on art theory, methodology and museum research of these areas. Presenters are either established scholars (working at museums, universities, institutes or active as independent scholars) or junior scholars (holding MA or Ph.D. degrees).

Within the panels, which are fixed at 2 hours each, two different formats of participation are accepted:

Panel format:
Panel proposal (max. 250 words, including the name of organizer, chair, participants and discussant)

3–4 paper abstracts (max. 250 words each). The length of each presentation is to be decided by the panel organizer. The panel organizer is free to think of alternate panel formats, as long as the presentations fit into the two-hour limit.

Individual paper format:
Paper proposal (max. 250 words). The length of the paper is 20 minutes, followed by a 10-minute discussion.

All submitters are asked to add a short CV of max. 3 sentences, their status and affiliation (e.g. Ph.D. candidate, University of Leeds) as well as contact information (address, telephone number, e-mail) to their application.

Applications should be sent to conference@ea-aaa.eu before November 15, 2016. Questions regarding alternate panel formats are welcome at any time before this date.

Scholars who have submitted their proposals by this deadline will be notified of their inclusion into the conference before February 28, 2017.

The conference program will be published by May 31, 2017. The language of the conference is English.