JOURNAL OF VISUAL CULTURE
Scope & Guideline
Advancing Critical Dialogues in Visual Studies
Introduction
Aims and Scopes
- Interdisciplinary Analysis of Visual Culture:
The journal emphasizes the examination of visual culture through various lenses, including art, media, and technology, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue among fields such as sociology, anthropology, and history. - Focus on Marginalized Voices:
A consistent theme in the journal is the representation and empowerment of marginalized communities, exploring how visual culture can serve as a medium for resistance and activism. - Critical Engagement with Technology:
The journal frequently addresses the impact of digital technology on visual culture, including the implications of AI, social media, and virtual reality on perception and representation. - Exploration of Global Perspectives:
Emphasizing a global outlook, the journal covers visual culture from diverse geographical and cultural contexts, particularly focusing on underrepresented narratives and histories. - Historical and Contemporary Contextualization:
The journal provides critical insights into both historical and contemporary visual practices, offering a comprehensive understanding of how past movements influence current visual culture.
Trending and Emerging
- Intersection of Visual Culture and Activism:
Recent publications increasingly explore how visual culture acts as a tool for activism, highlighting works that address social justice, environmental issues, and political movements across various contexts. - Hybrid and Digital Practices:
There is a growing interest in hybrid forms of visual culture that combine traditional media with digital practices, including the use of augmented reality and immersive experiences. - Posthumanism and Non-Human Agency:
Emerging discussions around posthumanism and the agency of non-human entities in visual culture are gaining traction, examining how technology and the environment interact with human experiences. - Visual Culture in the Context of Global Crises:
The journal is increasingly addressing visual culture's role in responding to global crises, such as pandemics, climate change, and political upheaval, emphasizing the relevance of visual narratives in these contexts. - Affective and Sensory Engagement:
There is an emerging focus on affective and sensory experiences in visual culture, exploring how emotions and bodily sensations influence perception and interpretation of visual artifacts.
Declining or Waning
- Traditional Art Criticism:
There has been a noticeable decrease in articles focused solely on traditional art criticism, as the journal increasingly prioritizes discussions that intersect with broader socio-political contexts. - Eurocentric Perspectives:
The journal's content has shifted away from Eurocentric viewpoints, with fewer articles centered on Western art narratives, indicating a broader commitment to global and inclusive perspectives. - Static Representations of Identity:
Themes revolving around static or monolithic representations of identity are less prominent, as the journal increasingly embraces complexity and fluidity in discussions about identity politics. - Conventional Media Forms:
There is a decline in the analysis of conventional media forms such as print and television, with a growing emphasis on new media and digital platforms that challenge traditional boundaries. - Historical Narratives without Contemporary Relevance:
Papers that solely focus on historical narratives without linking to contemporary implications or relevance are becoming less frequent, as the journal aims to maintain a dynamic conversation with current visual culture.
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