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International Scientific and Artistic Conference

Rethinking Childhood II 

      Child and Space

Zadar, June 1-3, 2023

Organisers

 Department of Teacher and Preschool Teacher Education, University of Zadar, (Croatia)

Faculty of Education, University of Maribor,  Maribor (Slovenia)

 

Dear researchers and participants,

The second International Scientific and Artistic Conference Rethinking Childhood II aims to address issues concerning children and space, children’s perception and awareness of space, as well as reciprocal impact between space, children and childhood. The importance of space and its conceptual representation is easily recognized across different social sciences and humanities (pedagogy, psychology, sociology, philology, philosophy, kinesiology, anthropology, culture studies and childhood studies), and within the field of art. By reinventing and reconceptualizing space categories, and by associating them with children and childhood, we open the doors to different insights of the phenomena that are space and spatiality – starting from actual (physical) manifestations of space to children’s mental, emotional and creative representations and realizations of space, and finally, constructed (social) spaces surrounding childhood in general. Throughout their lives, humans adapt to the space around them, just as the surrounding space changes in relation to themselves, which means that the phenomenon of space associated with children and childhood is to be interpreted as a cultural construct of a specific segment of the space-time continuum. The link between the child (and consequently childhood) and the space is mutual and complex, and different researchers will surely suggest different vantage points on this relationship.

Building upon these premises and in the hope that you will find incentive for your presentations, we recommend the following areas of research:

  • Interpretation and reinterpretation of space and childhood in language, literature and culture
  • Central and peripheral spaces in the structuring of childhood
  • Language and space in the context of children’s language acquisition
  • Religious and spiritual space(s) and childhood
  •  Childhood in the context of contemporary biopsychosocial space
  • (Re)semanticization of space and childhood in theatre and film arts
  • Image of the child and childhood in the context of media and virtual spaces
  • Kinanthropological space in childhood
  • Creative and educational potential of living spaces
  • The place of music in children’s creative space
  • Space as an artistic means of expression
  • Methodical design of space-related research
  • Concept(s) of space and spatiality in the educational process

 

Artistic program – exhibition and workshop themes address the concepts of space and spatiality

Artists and art pedagogues who work at higher education institutions in the country and abroad, and who actively exhibit and work within the art scene, are invited to the exhibition. We suggest that the exhibitors submit works that problematize the notion of space in different contexts (physical/imaginary/mental/virtual space), as well as their research on different perspectives in the context of visual arts. Exhibitors present themselves with a maximum of two works in drawing, graphic print, painting, sculpture or small-format photography. The application should contain the following:

  • CV of up to 150 words in Croatian or Slovenian and English;
  • title of work, year and the technique – in Croatian or Slovenian and English;
  • a photo for the catalogue of good resolution.

Finalised works for the exhibition are to be submitted by May 15, 2023 (registration fee is not going to be charged), and all details can be agreed with the Associate Professor Saša Živković by e-mail: sasazivkovic2012@gmail.com .

The repertoire of art workshops steers towards different fields of art that concern various research aspects pertaining to space and spatiality (visual-artistic, music-related, drama and dance-related). The participants interested in joining this affair are invited to design and register workshops that would not last beyond 45 minutes. Should you apply, please remember to attach a short description of your workshop (250-500 words in length). Art workshops are intended for all conference participants.