In the ever-changing art scene of the 20th century, which was in a race against time, new styles and schools emerged. Artists and thinkers alike were bent on creativity, innovation, emotions, personal experiences and ingenuity. The developments of the latter half of the century led to a phase beyond modernism commonly referred to as a 'post' era: post-industrial, post-metaphysical, post-structural, post-modern, etc.
One of the most significant and prevailing speculative issues of our time is the philosophy of post-modernism and thus the critique of modernity. Initially, the western concept of post-modernism arose in the field of architecture.It was then applied to other forms of art : music, painting, cinema, literature, literary criticism, etc. and was eventually used to characterise the social, economic, cultural and political aspects of contemporary life. However, no precise and agreed definition of post-modernism has as yet been provided to the plurality of thinkers who have discussed it and the diversity of their viewpoints. Needless to say this reflects the peculiar character of post-modernism:by its very nature it resists exact definition and is not bound by any single interpretation. 
what is important however is that post-modernism is the continuation of modernity and of the spirit of an age, which commenced with the Renaissance and evolved into our present-day condition. Some Western philosophers even hold that post-modernism is an attempt at resolving the exigencies of modernity and contemporary man's problems. Hence, questioning the nature of modernity is fundamental to examining post-modernism. Without an intelligent discernment of modernity, and the question of its nature and essence, one can not hope to understand the insights and relevance of post-modernism.
This conference aims to study contemporary art with reference to the speculative principles of post-modernity and modernity.



The State of Contemporary Art

The Problems of Contemporary Art:

•  Aesthetics in Contemporary Art

•  The Fine Line between Artistic & Non-Artistic Work

•  The Language & Expression of Contemporary Art 

•  Contemporary Literature & Art

•  Contemporary Art & Technology

•  Globalization & Contemporary Art

•  Post-Modern Art: Features & Characteristics

•  The End of Art

Post-Modernism & Trends of Contemporary Art:

•  Minimalism 

•  Conceptual Art

•  Land Art

•  Video Art

•  Body Art

•  Anti-Art

•  Local Art

•  Feminism

•  Post-Modern Architecture

Theoretical Origins of Post-Modern Art

Theoretical Principles of Modernism from the viewpoint of Modern Philosophers:

•  Humanism

•  Rationalism

•  Subjectivism

•  Nihilism

•  Aesthetics

•  Enlightenment

Historical Analysis of Modernism:

•  Renaissance

•  Industrial Revolution & Capitalist System of Production

•  Modern Science & Technology

•  God & Religion in the Modern Era

Historical & Theoretical Principles of Post-Modernism:

•  Definitions of Post-Modernism

•  A Survey of the Historical & Social Conditions of Post-Modernism

•  A Critique of Modernism as offered by Marxism

•  Freudian Critique of Modernism 
  
  

•  A Critique of Modernism from the viewpoint of Nietzsche

•  A Critique of Modernism from the viewpoint of Heidegger

•  Philosophical Trends Shaping Post-Modernism (the Frankfurt School, Existentialism, Wittgenstein, etc.)

•  Hermeneutics & the Philosophy of Post-Modern 

•  Post-Modern Philosopher's Thoughts (Derrida, Foucault, Lyotard, etc.)

•  A Post-Modernism Critique of Modernism

•  A Critique of Post-Modernism: Habermas

•  Post-Modernism & Trans-Modernism