The Inside Story: Art, Interior and Architecture 1750-1950 (ThIS) investigates art as related to architecture and the interior, between c.1750 and 1950. It is an interdisciplinary research team, initiated (in 2016) and directed by M. Sterckx, between Ghent University and Vrije Universiteit Brussel, with members from the Art History and Architectural Engineering departments. ThIS considers the place and role of art within architecture and the interior, the history of interiors, and the decorative arts. Starting from artworks, material objects, visual and textual sources, and inspired by the challenges of present-day living and the possibilities of digital technologies, ThIS studies underexposed historic interiors with an eye for heritage policy.
ThIS focuses on Belgium, in an international context, as there is still a great deal of research potential, and historic interiors are still underexposed and often vulnerable. Through knowledge and expertise exchange, impetus can be given to better protection and preservation of this heritage. Annually, ThIS organises a colloquium on historic interiors and design in Ghent (Studiedag Historisch Interieur en Design), bringing together heritage professionals and scholars from various disciplines and institutions. Regularly, ThIS also co-organized/s international conferences, a.o. with the European Society of Nineteenth-Century Art (ESNA).
Keywords: art, architecture, interior design, historic interiors, design, applied arts, long 19th century, 18th century, interwar period, gender, space
ThIS focusses on the following topics:
Fine arts and/in historic interiors & architecture
- Fine arts in/and architecture, e.g.: ornamental sculpture; monumental painting; monumental sculpture;...
- Artists’ studios and homes, Studio practices
- The (artistic) representation and material culture of historic interiors
- The (aesthetic) presentation of art in the interior (public-private); art collections; art salons
Decorative arts & design, arts & the decorative
- The (artistic/aesthetic) decoration of the interior
- Sculpture, painting and the decorative; the decorative arts at exhibitions; art, craft and technology/industry;
- Interiors, decorative arts, and gender;
- Textile and fashion history; fashion & architecture