Beyond Theory: Continuing the Work

“By walking, you make the path … ”
–Antonio Machado

If we imagine our work in the arts as a path we have charted—sometimes in silos and other times together—what moments would we mark as those of great momentum, as roadblocks, as drudgery, and as breathers?

The Beyond Theory conference, hosted in conjunction with the exhibition VISIBLE/INVISIBLE: Representation of Women in Art through the MAP Collection, was conceptualised as an annual gathering of artists and art workers who employ a feminist lens in practising, curating, organising and more. Here, employing a feminist lens means that their practices expose power hierarchies framed by factors including but not limited to gender– like caste, race, sex, sexuality and more.

The first iteration of the conference looked at practice and the second at the infrastructure that enabled those practices. Each panel in both the conferences could stand alone, but was bound by a common way of seeing and understanding–how can feminist practices help carve out a less precarious, sustainable and just sector for us? How has it done it before in pockets and niches? How does it continue to do it and how could we scale or replicate it in meaningful ways?

For the concluding conference, we want to take stock of where we are. Reflecting on the three years of work and conversations we have had under the conference and the permanent exhibition, this year’s iteration will be a sweep–its aim, not to mark success but to be honest about the lay of the land. Since speaking of various concerns–of representation, of precarity, of a crisis of care, of lack of funding, of impunity, of inaccessibility, and exclusion–on a micro level, at this conference, and on a macro level, at many more forums–what have been the shifts and silences that have gotten us here –for better or for worse?

As we mark the last year of the exhibition, we want to gather artists, art workers, writers, academics and institutions to reflect on the evolution of their work in the sector, speak to each other regarding doubt, success and failure and look back at the blueprints of our work.

The keynote will be delivered by Dr Nishant Shah. The final speaker list will be published soon.

Travel Bursary
A limited travel bursary is available to support students residing outside Bengaluru in attending the conference. To be considered, please submit a formal request outlining how the conference would benefit your academic or professional practice. Before applying, kindly review the eligibility criteria and details below.

– Open to students enrolled in Graduation, Post-Graduation, PhD, or Post-Doctoral programmes.

– Applicants must be based outside Bengaluru but within India.

– The bursary will reimburse travel and accommodation expenses up to INR 20,000 on submission of valid bills and receipts.

To apply, please send an email to visible@map-india.org with the following:

– A brief statement (maximum 500 words) explaining how attending the conference will contribute to your studies or practice.

Expectations from Awardees
– Selected recipients will be required to submit a 1,500-word report analysing and unpacking the themes, questions, and concerns addressed in one or more of the conference sessions. The report should contextualize these discussions within broader discourses on arts practice and infrastructure in the region. With the recipients’ consent, these reports may be published on the MAP website after the conference.

Timeline
– Application Deadline: April 6, 2025

– Notification of Selection: April 10, 2025

For any queries, please reach out to visible@map-india.org

Please note: This conference is free to attend. Registration is required for participation.