European Review of Contemporary Arts and Humanities

NARRATIVES OF IDENTITY IN CONTEMPORARY VISUAL ARTS AND CULTURAL EXPRESSION

Penka Mladenova — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0500

This article examines the multifaceted narratives of identity in contemporary visual arts and cultural expression, situating them within the broader contexts of globalization, postcolonial legacies, gender politics, digital technologies, memory, and ecological consciousness. Identity is approached not as a fixed essence but as a dynamic and relational process shaped by history, social interaction, and cultural negotiation. The analysis emphasizes how artists employ diverse media and practices to articulate experiences of diaspora, challenge dominant frameworks, reclaim marginalized voices, and engage audiences in reimagining belonging. Attention is given to the ways in which contemporary art operates as both an aesthetic and political act, highlighting its role in constructing, contesting, and transforming cultural identities in the twenty-first century. Ultimately, the study underscores the capacity of visual arts to function as a critical site for dialogue and reflection, where individual subjectivities intersect with collective narratives to address the complexities of human existence in a rapidly changing world.

TRANSFORMATIONS OF TRADITION IN MODERN PERFORMING ARTS PRACTICES

Duarte Pinto — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0500

This article explores the evolving relationship between tradition and innovation in modern performing arts practices, emphasizing how heritage is continually reinterpreted to remain relevant in contemporary contexts. Tradition is understood not as a static inheritance but as a dynamic process shaped by cultural memory, artistic experimentation, technological advancement, and social transformation. The study highlights the ways in which theater, dance, music, and interdisciplinary performance rework inherited repertoires, often blending them with modern aesthetics, global influences, and digital technologies. These transformations are shown to extend beyond aesthetic innovation, encompassing shifts in pedagogy, cultural policy, and social function, as well as the politics of representation and identity. By examining how tradition operates within modern performance as both a resource and a site of contestation, the article demonstrates the resilience and adaptability of performing arts in addressing the complexities of globalization, cultural diversity, and social change. Ultimately, it argues that the vitality of modern performing arts lies in their capacity to transform tradition into a living, evolving practice that bridges past and present while imagining new futures.

THE ROLE OF MEMORY IN SHAPING COLLECTIVE CULTURAL HERITAGE

Freja Larsson — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0500

This article examines the central role of memory in shaping collective cultural heritage, emphasizing its function as both a preservative and transformative force in the construction of communal identities. Memory is presented not as a passive archive but as an active and selective process through which societies commemorate, reinterpret, and transmit traditions across generations. The study explores how oral traditions, material culture, performance, and commemorative practices embody memory and sustain cultural continuity, while also adapting to changing social contexts. It highlights the interplay between remembering and forgetting, the politics of memory in heritage curation, and the ways communities confront trauma and loss through acts of cultural remembrance. Special attention is given to the impact of globalization and digital technologies, which extend the reach of memory while introducing new challenges of authenticity and ownership. Ultimately, the article argues that memory is indispensable for the vitality of cultural heritage, enabling it to function as a living, dynamic resource that connects the past to present realities and future aspirations.

INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACHES TO AESTHETICS IN THE DIGITAL AGE

Reyna Adlawan — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0500

This article investigates interdisciplinary approaches to aesthetics in the digital age, highlighting how the convergence of technology, culture, and artistic practice has reshaped the ways in which beauty, meaning, and creative value are perceived and produced. The study considers aesthetics not merely as a philosophy of art but as a multidimensional field where digital media, visual culture, performance, and design intersect with disciplines such as philosophy, anthropology, communication studies, and computer science. By analyzing the impact of virtual environments, algorithmic creativity, immersive technologies, and global cultural exchange, the article reveals how traditional concepts of authorship, originality, and audience engagement are being redefined. It emphasizes the necessity of an interdisciplinary lens to understand aesthetic experiences in digital contexts, where art is increasingly participatory, networked, and mediated by technology. Ultimately, the article argues that aesthetics in the digital age cannot be confined to singular disciplinary boundaries, as its vitality lies in its ability to bridge fields of knowledge and foster innovative modes of artistic and cultural expression.

CULTURAL DIALOGUES AND THE EVOLUTION OF ARTISTIC PRACTICES IN GLOBAL CONTEXTS

Akash Iyer — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0500

This article explores the dynamics of cultural dialogues and their influence on the evolution of artistic practices within global contexts. It examines how encounters between diverse traditions, histories, and communities foster the emergence of new artistic languages that transcend geographic and disciplinary boundaries. The analysis considers how globalization, migration, and technological innovation have intensified intercultural exchange, leading to hybrid forms of artistic expression that reflect both local identities and global connections. At the same time, it reflects on the tensions between cultural preservation and transformation, addressing questions of authenticity, appropriation, and power dynamics in the circulation of art across borders. Through an exploration of visual arts, performance, music, and digital media, the article highlights the ways in which artists negotiate cultural differences and construct shared spaces of creativity. Ultimately, it argues that cultural dialogues are not peripheral but central to the vitality of contemporary artistic practice, shaping the narratives, techniques, and values through which art continues to evolve in a rapidly interconnected world.

ARTISTIC REPRESENTATION AND THE DYNAMICS OF SOCIAL CHANGE IN HUMANITIES RESEARCH

Ilona Bathory — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0500

This article examines the interconnection between artistic representation and the dynamics of social change within the scope of humanities research. It argues that art is not only a reflection of existing social realities but also an active agent in shaping discourses, challenging power structures, and influencing collective consciousness. By analyzing how artistic practices engage with issues such as inequality, identity, justice, and memory, the study demonstrates that representation functions as both a mirror and a catalyst for transformation. The discussion emphasizes the importance of contextualizing artistic production within broader historical and cultural frameworks, showing how the humanities provide critical tools for interpreting the aesthetic, ethical, and political dimensions of art. The article also highlights the ways in which artistic representation participates in redefining social values, generating dialogue, and contributing to the reimagining of possible futures. Ultimately, it underscores the significance of the humanities in tracing the reciprocal relationship between art and social change, offering insights into how cultural creativity informs, and is informed by, evolving social dynamics.