Convention and Anomaly: An Art History Workshop

The University of Chicago Center in Beijing
20th floor, Culture Plaza
No. 59A Zhong Guan Cun Street
Haidian District Beijing 100872

In an exhilarating blend of tradition and innovation, the University of Chicago Center in Beijing hosted a pioneering art history workshop on March 2, 2024. The workshop is organized by renowned professors Wu Hong, Harrie A. Vanderstappen Distinguished Service Professor of Art History and the College of Chinese Art at the University of Chicago.

This event united ten prominent art history researchers from the School of Arts at Peking University and the Liberal Arts College at the Central Academy of Fine Arts, who focus on art history in different periods and fields and were invited to discuss the “anomalies” in art creation (which naturally implies “convention”) related to their current research projects. Unlike the traditional academic conferences that already have completed formal research reports, this workshop emphasizes sharing research topics that are in the “present”, encouraging thoughtful, analytical, and experimental academic communications. Scholars are encouraged to exchange ideas and discuss phase-specific issues they have encountered in their research.

By excavating into the “anomalies” of art within the rhetoric of convention, this event provided a fresh perspective on art historical research. This one-day event is a cornucopia of insightful ideas, brimming with enlightening presentations ranging from the discussion of enigmatic Tombs to the mysterious Egyptian cats and re-evaluations of Western classic artworks through the lens of convention and anomaly. Scholars from various fields had fruitful discussions and exchanged their ideas. The workshop opened its registration to the public for offline participation with over one hundred people joining the event, providing art enthusiasts, amateurs and professionals alike the precious opportunity to engage directly with up-to-date art historical discourse.