The Pacific Branch of the Pacific Arts Association is offering registration for its 2015 conference, to be held at the Fa'onelua Conference Centre in Nuku'alofa, Tonga from 28 September to 4 October, 2015.

Recent archaeological investigations have confirmed what we already knew-- that there was widespread trade among islands and cultures across the pacific well in advance of the European arrival. The theme of this conference offers a myriad of investigations into the role/s art has played in the exchange of objects, peoples, technologies, and ideologies in the pre-historic, historic, or modern Pacific. It is not limited to ‘physical’ exchanges, but also addresses complex social, economic and political arrangements/interactions between interconnected systems, structures and peoples. Among others, we seek to enhance our understanding of how art moved across time and through communities, why some exchanges were more successful than others and how geography, technology, or localized social structures influenced artistic function, meaning or traditions.

The Conference structure will include but is not limited to, paper presentations, panel exchanges, small group discussions, an exhibition, and excursions to local monuments.  Film and multi-media experiences would be welcomed as well as performative or other Innovative events dealing with the theme of trade and interaction.

We invite proposals from researchers and scholars, curators and artists to engage with and challenge this broad theme. Ideally, participants will be open to sharing their knowledge and experiences with other conference attendees building networks for ongoing intellectual and social exchange.