New Media in Art History : Tensions, Exchanges, Situations

New media in art history

The history of art and new media are inextricably linked – both historically and in the present day. This publication can be described as an interdisciplinary reflection: it examines the confrontation and interaction between art history and new media, highlighting key developments, opportunities, and tensions.

In eight studies, eleven researchers present new findings and explore the techniques and methods of new media – from electronic to digital and post-digital media – and the challenges these pose for art history. The book covers a wide range of topics, from the history and historiography of new media to their practical application, use, and reception, as well as creative processes, material conservation, and mediation.

• With new research findings, this book bridges the gap between art history and media studies
• With contributions by Keyvane Alinaghi, Sarah Amsler, Katharina Brandl, Fleur Chevalier, Aline Guillermet, Thomas Hänsli, Dominik Lengyel, Catherine Toulouse, Caroline Tron-Carroz, Zsofi Valyi-Nagy, and Nina Zschocke
• Cooperative project between the Swiss Association of Art Historians (VKKS) and the University of Neuchâtel

Régine Bonnefoit, doctorate in art history (University of Heidelberg, 1995) and habilitation (University of Passau, 2006); research assistant at the Département des Arts graphiques des Musée du Louvre (1992–1994); research grant at the Institute of Art History in Florence (1995–1998). Trainee at Berlin Museums (2000–2001). University assistant at the Institute of Art History at the University of Lausanne (2001–2006). After a professorship at the Swiss National Science Foundation, she was appointed full professor of contemporary art history and museology at the University of Neuchâtel. Curator and co-curator of numerous exhibitions.

Melissa Rérat, Dr, is currently a postdoc researcher. She has been awarded a Postdoc.Mobility fellowship from the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) to continue her research at the University of Applied Arts Vienna from 2023 to 2025. Previously she was a scientific collaborator at the Swiss Institute for Art Research (SIK-ISEA) and taught the history of new media at the University of Neuchâtel. Her doctoral thesis in art history and sociology (2020, published in 2022) studied the social construction of video art through discourse in the 1970s. Her research fields include the history of video art, the interaction between contemporary art and art history, the role of archives in the construction of knowledge, and gender questions in contemporary art.

Samuel Schellenberg, Master in art history, history, and English at the University of Lausanne (1998). Certificate in journalism from the Centre romand de formation des journalistes (2002). Since 2008 he has been in charge of the cultural section of the independent daily newspaper Le Courrier, based in Geneva, where he writes mainly about art. 2019 winner of the Prix Meret Oppenheim, the Swiss Grand Award for Art created in 2001 by the Federal Office of Culture and the Federal Art Commission.

Régine Bonnefoit, Doktorat in Kunstgeschichte (Universität Heidelberg, 1995) und Habilitation (Universität Passau, 2006); Forschungsassistentin an der Abteilung für grafische Künste des Louvre (1992–1994); Forschungsstipendium am Kunsthistorischen Institut in Florenz (1995–1998). Volontariat an den Berliner Museen (2000–2001). Hochschulassistenz am Institut für Kunstgeschichte der Universität Lausanne (2001–2006). Nach einer Förderungsprofessur des Schweizerischen Nationalfonds erfolgte die Berufung zur ordentlichen Professorin für Kunstgeschichte und Museologie an der Universität Neuchâtel. Kuratorin und Co-Kuratorin zahlreicher Ausstellungen.

Melissa Rérat, Dr., ist derzeit Postdoc-Forscherin an der Universität für angewandte Kunst Wien (2023–2025) mit einem Postdoc.Mobility-Stipendium des Schweizerischen Nationalfonds (SNF). Davor war sie wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin am Schweizerischen Institut für Kunstwissenschaft (SIK-ISEA) und Lehrbeauftragte für Geschichte der Neuen Medien an der Universität Neuchâtel. Ihre Doktorarbeit in Kunstgeschichte und Soziologie (2020, publiziert 2022) untersucht die soziale Konstruktion der Videokunst durch die Diskurse der 1970er-Jahre. Ihre Forschungsgebiete umfassen die Geschichte der Videokunst, die Interaktion zwischen zeitgenössischer Kunst und Kunstgeschichte, die Rolle der Archive in der Wissenskonstruktion und Genderfragen in der zeitgenössischen Kunst.

Samuel Schellenberg, Master in Kunstgeschichte, Geschichte und Anglistik an der Universität Lausanne (1998). Diplom in Journalismus, erworben am Centre romand de formation des journalistes (2002). Seit 2008 Leiter der Kulturabteilung der unabhängigen Tageszeitung Le Courrier in Genf, wo er hauptsächlich über Kunst schreibt. 2019 Gewinner des Prix Meret Oppenheim, des Schweizerischen Grand Prix für Kunst, der 2001 vom Bundesamt für Kultur und von der Eidgenössischen Kunstkommission gegründet wurde.