Contacts
University

Art and Social Science Meet at Bocconi

, by Tomaso Eridani, translated by Alex Foti
On November 27 and 28, an international colloquium organized by ASK looks into the contribution that social sciences can give to cultural policy

Arts and cultural heritage are much boosted as of late, but a certain intellectual confusion reigns over its management. Communication is often given the main priority, in order to primarily feed status and popularity. For a more balanced and knowledgeable approach, social science (economics, sociology, anthropology, history, geography etc) can give a decisive contribution. This is what the Art, Science, Knowledge (ASK) research center will discuss at Bocconi in its two-day international colloquium titled Arts and social sciences: interdisciplinary research perspectives gathering Italian and international experts

"Social sciences must take a larger role," explains Stefano Baia Curioni, vice-president of the ASK research center. "They have already had an influence in shaping shared views about art and can sustain projects that help restore a more measured and authentic collective relationship with art."

Social scientists, art historians, critics and curator will discuss the premises and findings of their research work into art and cultural management.

Harvey Molotch, Professor of Sociology and Metropolitan Studies at New York University, Allen Scott, Professor of Geography at the University of California and Volker Kirchberg, of Department of Organization and Distribution of the Arts, University of Lüneburg will discuss the relation between cultural policies and urban development. Art and Criticism will instead be discussed by Angela Vettese, Professor of Art History at IUAV in Venice, Gabriel Dotto, Press Director at Michigan State University, and Marco De Michelis, Dean of the Faculty of Design and Art at IUAV in Venice.

Another field of inquiry concerns the relationship between art, social structure and economic policy, which will be discussed by Annalisa Tota, Professor of Sociology of Cultural and Communication Processes at Università Roma III, Pierluigi Sacco, Professor of Economics of Culture at IUAV, Tia De Nora, Professor of Sociology at Exeter University, and Stefano Baia Curioni.

The second day will focus on the concluding discussion before a selected audience on the points of agreement and divergence emerged during the first day of the colloquium.

University