The conference "Topical Problems in Theory and History of Art" is an international scientific forum annually held by the St. Petersburg State University and the Lomonosov Moscow State University with assistance of the leading museums of Russia. The conference takes place alternately in St. Petersburg and Moscow. From October 11 to October 15, 2016 it will run in the State Hermitage Museum.
A wide range of questions as regards the theory and history of fine arts and architecture, preservation and interpretation of the Russian and world cultural heritage, as well as interaction of art criticism with museum activities in practice will be tackled upon at the conference. The major distinctive features of the conference include a wide chronological range of the problems studied and cross-disciplinary approach to their research.
The conference of 2016 focuses on the topic of "An artifact, art object, and argument. An object in fine arts: a task, method, and result". Discussions will dwell on an art object in its most varied manifestations, from the moment of its creation or discovery to perception and interpretation by the viewer.
It is an art object or a found artifact that attract representatives of numerous professions, such as art critics, historians, restorers, museum custodians, archeologists, artists, and art critics. All of them make contribution to the study and interpretation of art objects, thus making it possible for museum objects to go on living, developing, and accumulating new connotations, meanings and associations.
The conference program includes a plenary session and fifteen thematic sections, as well as a number of special events. Participants from 22 countries and over 300 reports are expected at the event. The program and the schedule are available on the conference website