*Call for Papers, Edited Book *
*Painting Mirrors: Essays on the Artist as Observer and Social Critic *
Project Aims: Chapters are being sought for a book that will address the
“artist as social critic,” especially the ways in which the artistic
perspective is linked to more sophisticated methods of social inquiry,
observation and analysis. Specific interest will be given to the
multidimensional nature of imagination --- particularly the relationship
between the /artistic/ imagination and a well-developed /sociological
/imagination. The book will define art broadly, so essays focusing on
individual /writers/, / musicians/, /filmmakers/, / painters/,
/cartoonists/, / comedians/, and others are welcomed.
By connecting the humanities, arts and social sciences, this collection
will raise important arguments about the role of art in society as more
than simply entertainment. Beyond adding to the literature on sociology
of art, it will mount an interdisciplinary counter-attack to the
skepticism of artists as “dreamers,” or as anti-American, by examining
the multidimensional complexity of imagination. Recognition of this
sophistication will help to acknowledge the important role that artists
have played in developing social awareness and creating public dialogue
on issues of social importance. This book is scheduled to be published
by Lexington Books. For additional information about Lexington please
visit http://www.lexingtonbooks.com <http://www.lexingtonbooks.com/>.
Anticipated publication date is summer 2011.
All chapters should address these major elements:
1. *The political nature of the artist’s work and the impact of
that work on social change or the public.* Can explicit connections be
made between the artist’s work and social action, social activists
and/or public debate and discussion of social issues?
2. *Connections between “imaginations” – political, sociological,
artistic, etc.* For example, in what ways did the artist explore social
structure, the relationship between the individual and society, social
norms and values, etc.? Did he or she aim to unveil or reveal hidden
aspects of social life? If the artist worked as an “outsider looking
in,” how did this help to sharpen artistic social critique?
3. *Specific elements of the artist’s perspective/methods and how
these informed the content/message of the artist’s work.* For example,
what elements of the “artistic eye” inform a more complex understanding
of social life? How does this perspective, as a form of social inquiry,
aid the artist in understanding the human condition? How do artistic
techniques such as satire or parody help unveil social norms or values?
Does/did the artist use qualitative methods of social inquiry and
observation, including more ethnographic methods?
Manuscript Submission Guidelines:
Interested authors are invited to submit a chapter proposal (1-3 pages)
clearly explaining the intent and concerns of the proposed chapter to
Shawn Bingham at sbingham@cas.usf.edu <mailto:sbingham@cas.usf.edu> by
April 25^th , 2010. The proposal should include an outline of the
proposed chapter, estimated number of pages of the final manuscript and
contact address of the corresponding author, as well as any
artwork/images that will be included. Upon acceptance of chapter
proposals, authors will be sent document preparation guidelines.
Important Dates:
April 25^th , 2010 – Deadline for Submission of chapter proposal
May 15^th , 2010 - Notification of proposal acceptance
Sep 1^st , 2010 - Full chapter submission
Nov 15^st , 2010 – Deadline of revised chapter submission
March, 2011 – Final Camera ready copy submitted
Summer 2011 – Publication date
