The Nordic Network for the History and Aesthetics of Photography is sponsored by The Nordic Research Board (NordForsk).

The interest in working artistically with photography - as well as collecting and exhibiting photographic images, has increased considerably in the Nordic countries during the last ten years. The photographic medium has thus taken a dominant position within contemporary art and culture - something which has not yet resulted in any comprehensive or qualified theoretical and historical research in the Nordic countries. In the recent years however, a new generation of scholars has emerged, a generation which under the influence of the development of poststructural theory, has started to discuss questions concerning the identity and history of photography in the Nordic countries. The initiative to form this NordForsk network came from this younger group of scholars.

Purpose of the Network

The aim of the network is to make the Nordic history of photography more visible, as well as to strengthen the academic studies within this field. As the Nordic histories of photography are about to be written, the need to establish contacts and to collaborate across the borders becomes more imminent. Another aim is to publish an anthology of text in English about the Nordic history of photography. The annual conferences (open only to network members) that are to take place in 2003 to 2007, also represent an attempt to strengthen the education of new PhD candidates working on theses on the history and aesthetics of photography. It is also meant to be an arena for discussions on how the Nordic research projects may profit from the international theoretical development in this field.

This page last updated on February 29, 2008 by Terje Øye
The site last updated on February 29, 2008 by Terje Øye