Fostering strong scholarship and promoting collegiality within the vital field of contemporary art history.
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Foreign Language Index
To address the increasing dominance of English in contemporary art history, the Foreign Language Index summarizes recent scholarship published in various languages, broadening perspectives on contemporary art and encouraging cross-cultural exploration within the field.
The Foreign Language Index (FLI) was developed by the Society of Contemporary Art Historians (SCAH) to respond to the growing hegemony of English in contemporary art scholarship, which is increasingly homogenized by the concentration of online resources in English and the decline of regional publishing. Through translated abstracts, curated notes, and references, the FLI provides readers with a snapshot of recent, significant art historical writing in seventeen languages. This collection, sourced from volunteer scholars and specialists, encourages readers to engage with global perspectives and often-overlooked affinities across disparate contexts.
While the FLI may replicate aspects of English-language curation, SCAH aims to make it a dynamic, evolving resource. Its first issue, though not exhaustive, highlights key recent works and encourages broader engagement with global art histories. Free to access, the FLI draws inspiration from established translation projects, such as Getty’s Connecting Art Histories and MoMA’s Primary Documents, yet it differs in presenting a live snapshot of the contemporary field, inviting future contributors to enrich its reach and impact.
Inaugural Issue: Fall 2020
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The Society of Contemporary Art Historians aims to foster strong scholarship and promote collegiality within the vital field of contemporary art history.
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