[CFP] ACLA 2009: (Neo)avant-gardes, the Postmodern and Strategies of Resistance

[Tatjana Aleksic]

Postmodernism has most frequently been discussed in terms of a  
radical break with modernism,
usurping the sanctity of its achievements with neocon and often  
vulgar populism.

Early theories of the postmodern, unlike its more recent Marxist  
criticism,
more readily establish connections between the avant- gardes, both  
post-WWII neo-avant-gardes,
and the avant-garde movements in the first half of the 20th century,  
and postmodernism.
They trace this link to the linguistic and narrative strategies  
intended for the undermining
of the totalitarian project that originated in the traditions of  
modernity and in which modernism,
especially in its later phases, was clearly seen as participating.

In this panel I invite proposals that establish a link between  
modernist experimentations
and postmodernist fragmentation of the narrative and political,  
‘language games’ that subvert logocentric rationalism,
the emergence of multiple narratives interrogating the established  
episteme and historical truths.
The panel is meant as a forum for the exploration of the overlooked  
radical potential of postmodernism for subversion
that is to a great extent a continuation of the job started by the  
early 20th century avant- gardes, and express a reaction
to the threats of technocracy, totalitarian developments, and  
alienation of contemporary society,
rather than an invitation to their wholehearted and uncritical  
acceptance.

The panel invites papers dealing with the postmodern developments in  
so-called ‘non-democratic’ or ‘totalitarian’ societies,
neo- avant-garde and postmodern avant-garde activities behind the  
Iron Curtain,
as well as those analyzing a veritable metastazing of postmodern  
narratives in the European countries of post-communist/ socialist  
transition.

Please send submissions to Tatjana Aleksic, atatjana at umich.edu, or  
through the official ACLA 2009 Convention website.



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