As we navigate the ‘pictorial turn’ of the 21st century, W.J.T. Mitchell’s insights from What Do Pictures Want? (2005) remain highly relevant. Visual culture has long played a key role in shaping perceptions of America, both at home and abroad. From early maps of the New World to modern films and social media, images have continuously ‘framed’ America in ways that both reflect and influence its transnational relationships.

This panel invites participants to explore how visual representations of America have evolved over time and facilitated cultural dialogue and global connections, especially with Europe and Asia. We encourage scholars to examine how media—including painting, photography, film, television, and digital platforms—have shaped the flow of ideas, ideologies, and identities across borders.

Building on Paul Giles’s concept of “Virtual Americas” (2002), which highlights the influence of transatlantic and transpacific narratives on American culture, this panel asks: How do visual depictions of America transcend national borders? How does visual culture shape and export American ideologies to Europe and Asia, and how do these regions, in turn, reshape America’s visual identity?

By positioning America as a center of visual exchange, we aim to explore the intersection of national and transnational narratives. Some guiding questions include:

• How have visual exchanges between America, Europe, and Asia shaped global perceptions of American identity and power?
• How do cross-cultural exchanges influence portrayals of American political and social ideologies?
• How does visual culture serve as a tool for constructing or challenging American hegemony?
• How have the visual arts and media reflected or amplified key historical moments of transatlantic and transpacific exchange?

Drawing from visual studies, transnational American studies, and performance theory, this panel views visual culture not just as a reflection of society, but as an active force that shapes cultural narratives. From colonial maps to today’s global digital spectacles, visual representations of America have long negotiated between national self-image and foreign perceptions. We will explore how visuality functions as a form of cultural currency, placing America within a global network of meaning-making.

We welcome contributions on the following themes:

• The transnational flow of visual cultures and their impact on American identity: How have depictions of America influenced and been influenced by European and Asian cultures?
• Visual representations of America across media and historical periods: How have artistic movements and technology transformed images of the U.S.?
• Cross-cultural exchanges in American visual storytelling: How have European and Asian perspectives shaped portrayals of America in visual media?
• The politics of visuality in constructing American ideologies: How do visual narratives reinforce or challenge ideas of power, race, and nationhood?
• The intersection of visuality and performance in shaping narratives: How do visual practices interact with film, theater, or digital media to tell stories about America?

This panel offers an exciting opportunity to rethink how America has been visually “framed” over the centuries—how images have traveled, transformed, and shaped global narratives about the U.S. and its role in the world.

We invite submissions for presentations (approximately 15 minutes) from scholars interested in visual culture, transnational studies, and American studies. Contributions can focus on historical or contemporary practices and may employ theoretical approaches from visual studies, cultural theory, media studies, or performance studies. We look forward to your insights!

Please submit abstracts of 250 to 300 words along with a brief bio-sketch to Stefan Brandt (stefan.brandt@uni-graz.at) and Saptarshi Mallick (saptarshieng@gmail.com) by Wednesday, October 2, 2024.

******************************

Prof. Dr. Stefan Brandt (University of Graz, Department of American Studies, Research Area for American Literary and Cultural History with a Focus on (Trans-) Nationality and Space)

Dr. Saptarshi Mallick (University of Graz, Department of American Studies, Research Area for American Literary and Cultural History with a Focus on (Trans-) Nationality and Space)