Framing Medieval Mediterranean Art: Museums and Archaeology in National Discourse

Documents for Website: Title: Framing Medieval Mediterranean Art: Museums and Archaeology in National Discourse [About] “Framing the Medieval Mediterranean” is a seminar program funded by the Connecting Art Histories initiative of the Getty Foundation. Held over three years at the American Academy in Rome (2014-2016), the seminar program explores the impact of national discourses on the development of medieval art history and archaeology in the Mediterranean littoral. The role of nationalism in the preservation and presentation of medieval art and architecture in Mediterranean contexts has not yet been treated in any scholarly forum with the depth and comprehensiveness the subject deserves. And yet, national narratives fundamentally influence both scholarly discourse and public understanding. The periodization of material culture as “Ancient,” “Medieval” “Byzantine” “Ottoman” and “Modern,” the characterization of religious change as positive or negative, even the visualization of the historical arc as one of progress or decline – are all fundamentally impacted by the ordering and categorizing activities that take place in museums and archaeological sites. These sites of presentation in turn shape the agendas of scholars as well as the ways in which the various national publics make sense of their past. The seminar brings together younger scholars from around the Mediterranean to rethink their own research projects in light of discussions shared in the seminar. The seminar uses visits to local museums and archaeological parks in Rome and central Italy, as well as visits by local specialists, to inform its ongoing work. [Who] The seminar is formed of three groups: a Core Group, a group of Advisors, and the Directors. The Core Group consists of younger scholars – from advanced doctoral students to associate professors – drawn from countries around the Mediterranean littoral. Their specialties include Late Antique, Byzantine, Western Medieval, Islamic and Ottoman art and archaeology. The Advisors are senior scholars drawn from art history, history and archaeology who will act as a sounding board for the group, providing broader historiographic perspectives, bibliographic advice and further connections in the field. The Advisors are consulted on seminar format, readings and visits. The Directors are responsible for the form, content and funding of the seminar program as well as the agenda and the logistics of its meetings. Core Group Members: Nikolas Bakirtzis (Cyprus Institute) n.bakirtzis@cyi.ac.cy Judith Bronstein (University of Haifa) judith_bronstein@hotmail.com Trpimir Vedriš  (University of Zagreb) tvedris@ffzg.hr Silvia Armando (Università degli Studi della Tuscia, Viterbo) armando.silvia@gmail.com Erica D’Amico (University of Richmond, Rome) damico.erica@gmail.com Moheddine Chaouali (Institut National du Patrimoine, Tunisia) moheddine.chaouali@gmail.com Ruggero Longo (Università degli Studi della Tuscia, Viterbo) longorughi@libero.it Solinda Kamani (University of Kent) kamani_solinda@yahoo.com Francisco Moreno Martin (Universidad Complutense de Madrid) franciscojose.moreno@ghis.ucm.es Dina Bakhoum (American University of Cairo) dbakhoum@aucegypt.edu Magdalena Skoblar (University of York) ms523@york.ac.uk Advisors: Edhem Eldem (Department of History, Boğaziçi University, Istanbul) eldem@boun.edu.tr Patrick Geary (Institute for Advanced Study) geary@ias.edu Avinoam Shalem (Columbia University) as4501@columbia.edu Luca Zavagno (Eastern Mediterranean University, Cyprus) luca.zavagno@emu.edu.tr Directors: Kim Bowes (American Academy in Rome/University of Pennsylvania) k.bowes@aarome.org Bill Tronzo (University of California San Diego) wtronzo@yahoo.com [Program] Meeting 1: May 5-9, 2014 Theme: Introducing national narratives and nationalism; deconstructing nationalism in Roman medieval art/architecture May 5: AM: Arrival 2:30-5:30pm: First Seminar Meeting: Presentation of Project and 10-minute presentations by Core Group Members 6pm Welcome Cocktail, AAR 8pm Dinner May 6: 10-12AM: 10-minute presentations by Core Group Members; discussion of readings 1pm: Lunch 2:30-6: Visit to Vatican, Museums and Scavi with Paolo Paolucci, Director of the Vatican Museums May 7: AM: Discussion of readings PM: Visit to Ostia Antica and discussion of Fascist invention of “ancient” and “late ancient/medieval” Ostia. May 8: AM: Discussion of readings: special guest, Maria Andaloro PM: Visit to Museo Alto’ Medioevo