West 86th-A Journal of Decorative Arts Design History and Material Culture
Scope & Guideline
Advancing Scholarship in Design History
Introduction
Aims and Scopes
- Exploration of Material Culture:
The journal emphasizes the significance of material culture in understanding historical and contemporary societies, analyzing how objects reflect and influence social practices. - Interdisciplinary Research:
It encourages research that crosses disciplinary boundaries, incorporating perspectives from art history, anthropology, cultural studies, and design theory. - Focus on Decorative Arts:
A core area of interest includes the decorative arts, highlighting their aesthetic, functional, and social dimensions throughout various historical contexts. - Historical and Contemporary Perspectives:
The journal publishes works that engage with both historical artifacts and contemporary design practices, illustrating the continuity and change in material culture. - Global and Cross-Cultural Analysis:
The journal seeks to include a wide array of cultural contexts, promoting global perspectives and cross-cultural analyses in the study of decorative arts and design.
Trending and Emerging
- Fashion and Identity:
Recent publications have highlighted the interplay between fashion and identity, particularly in the context of cultural phenomena like the Korean Wave, indicating a growing interest in how fashion shapes and reflects societal values. - Materiality and Agency:
There is an increasing focus on the concepts of materiality and agency, exploring how objects interact with cultural narratives and the power they hold in social contexts. - Cultural Heritage and Politics:
Emerging themes include discussions on cultural heritage and its politics, particularly regarding repatriation and the role of museums in contemporary society. - Interdisciplinary Approaches to Design History:
A trend towards interdisciplinary methodologies in exploring design history is evident, with scholars integrating insights from science, technology, and social studies to enrich the understanding of decorative arts. - Environmental and Ethical Concerns in Design:
The journal is beginning to address themes related to sustainability and the ethics of design, reflecting a broader societal concern about the impact of material culture on the environment.
Declining or Waning
- Traditional Craft Techniques:
There has been a noticeable decrease in publications focusing specifically on traditional craft techniques, suggesting a shift towards more contemporary interpretations of material culture. - Western-Centric Narratives:
The journal seems to be moving away from exclusively Western-centric narratives, reflecting a growing emphasis on global and diverse perspectives that may overshadow older, Eurocentric studies. - Historical Artifacts without Contemporary Relevance:
Papers that focus solely on historical artifacts without linking them to contemporary issues or practices have become less frequent, indicating a trend towards relevance in current discussions.
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