The Faculty of Arts and Design at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), under the research niche of Creative Industries and Cultural Discourses of the Global South, hosted the Conference of the South African Journal of Art History (SAJAH) on the Arts Campus from 18 to 19 July 2025.
Delegates aimed to explore and foster dialogue on the multifaceted relationship between art, architecture and space, examining how these domains are perceived, enacted and practiced.
Scholars, researchers, artists, and architects shared insights and engaged in constructive discussions about the past, present and future of these creative intersections.
Topics included the evolving roles of art historians and architects in collaborative contexts; embodied perception in art and architecture; user engagement and immersion in art museums; monuments, memorials, public art and architecture; encounters with art and architecture in theatre, photography and film; the relationship between visual art and architecture in the digital age; vernacular art and architecture; ecological art and architecture; interactions between the built environment and nature; and critical perspectives on ideal cities, utopias and futuristic architecture.
“Hosting the conference on the Arts Campus positions the Tshwane University of Technology as a leader in creative scholarship. This initiative highlights the institution’s commitment to advancing research, innovation and the arts, both nationally and globally,” says Professor Anne Mastamet-Mason, Department of Design Studies and leader of the research niche.
“It also facilitates the development of relationships with academics, artists and cultural institutions from both national and international backgrounds. In addition, it creates opportunities for future collaborations, creative projects and academic partnerships aligned with the University’s strategic goals,” she adds.
Delegates attending the Conference of the South African Journal of Art History (SAJAH)
on the Arts Campus on 18 and 19 July 2025. PHOTO: Glen Mashipi