END OF THE SECOND MODULE OF THE INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE “ART READINGS 2026”

The New Art Module of the International Scientific Conference Art Readings 2026, held at the Institute of Art Studies at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences from 23 to 25 April, was completed. Young and well-established scholars from the country and abroad presented their research in the field of cinema, theatre, music, and fine arts, focusing on various aspects of this year's topic, "Chronos and Topos". The rich program of the forum was structured into 14 thematic panels, which did not lack scientific interpretations of photography, animation, social networks, dance, artificial intelligence, fashion, and architecture. In the reports and the accompanying discussions, time was considered as linear, spiral, and cyclical; mythological, cosmological, and historical, and the topos was interpreted both in its meaning of a certain space (sacred or secular, real or fantasy) and in the sense of a specific topic. Interesting accents were placed on kairos – the decisive moment in the various arts and the concept of "chronotope" as a special cohesion of time and space. As in previous editions, among the most valuable contributions of the conference were the ideas shared during the discussions at the end of the individual sessions, as well as the opportunity to exchange literature, professional experience, and useful institutional contacts. A thematic collection of the submitted reports is to be published.

The International Scientific Forum 'Art Readings 2026. "Chronos and Topos" was realised thanks to the financial support of the Scientific Research Fund, contract No. КП-06-МНФ/37 of 12.12.2025.

The conference was held in partnership with the National Gallery.

© Photographer: Yulia Staneva