Call: Early Career Conference 04./05.12.2026 »(Un)Moving? Forces of Early Modern Sculpture«

8 June 2026

The University of Hamburg and the CAS »Imaginarien der Kraft« invites applications for the international Early Career Conference »(Un)Moving? Forces of Early Modern Sculpture«, which will take place on December 4 and 5, 2026 at the Warburg-Haus in Hamburg.

Early modern art theory develops the topos of liveliness or animation often in the context of sculpture. Giorgio Vasari or Giovanni Paolo Lomazzo elaborated upon vivacità, prontezza, or moto through sculptural works of art. Comparisons with ancient texts on transformation—Pygmalion’s sculpture comes to life, the fleeing Daphne is transformed into a laurel tree—attest to a particular vitality and the associated potential for movement attributed to sculpture. Early modern sculptors make the (im)mobility of sculpture a theme in their artworks by breaking away from the classical ideal of contrapposto, setting the figures seemingly and potentially in motion, and thereby making it clear that their impact is not limited to their pedestals. These dynamics of sculpture are then expanded within the contexts of their displays when artworks are placed in relation to one another, to the surrounding architecture, or to the beholders.

At the same time, external forces act upon the sculpture: it is shaped by its cultural and political circumstances, is toppled, destroyed, or melted down to be cast into new forms. Despite its static qualities and its claim to permanence, sculpture thus reveals itself as a fluid, mobile, and moving phenomenon. This raises questions about which forces influence the perception of sculptures, but also how the genesis of the object itself is closely linked to the application of force. Which forces and dynamics are already consciously emphasized in the creative process, and which develop only through their reception? What role do material and materiality play in these contexts? We aim to explore these forces emanating from the sculpture as well as its inherent forces during the workshop.

The aim of the conference is to examine sculptures not only for their visually representational qualities but also to investigate both individual artworks and larger ensembles within their specific contexts of display and perception to discuss the potential of sculpture.

We particularly welcome submissions from doctoral candidates, postdoctoral researchers, and master’s students in the final phase of their studies. Submissions from neighboring disciplines, such as cultural history, literary studies, or media theory are also welcomed.

Please submit a short abstract (max. 500 words) for presentations of approx. 20 minutes, along with brief bio-bibliographical information, by July 31, 2026, to svenja.hasche"AT"uni-hamburg.de and ivo.raband"AT"uni-hamburg.de. Abstracts may be written in German or English. A passive understanding of both languages is required. 

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