How do disability art activism and crip theory inform contemporary art curating, and the other way around?
In her research, Eva Fotiadi is studying contemporary art exhibitions that emphasize the multisensory character of the human body by bringing together curatorial theory, experimental exhibition making (curator-, artist- or designer- led projects), disability studies and crip theory. The research is focusing on the shift away from the primacy of the visual experience in art exhibitions, a shift that is found in the work of countless contemporary artists and curators. Yet at the core of the project lies the aim to bring disability scholarship, disability art activism and crip theory to bear on curatorial theory and exhibition histories, as well as the other way round.
In September 2025 the edited volume by Eva Fotiadi titled, Exhibiting for Multiple Senses: Art and Curating for Sensory Diverse Bodies is published by Valiz.
For more information about the publication and to order it, visit: https://valiz.nl/publicaties/exhibiting-for-multiple-senses
The publication was included in the Valiz Spring Summer folder 2025 (available on ISSUU)
This publication is part of the Pural Series by Valiz, click here for more information about this series: https://valiz.nl/en/publications/plural-series
Ongoing research, 2023 – 2025
‘Could experimental sensory translation of art works improve their accessibility for sensory diverse exhibition audiences?’
Eva Fotiadi is a researcher within the Situated Art, Design and Technology research group and a theory tutor at the St Joost School of Art and Design, where she is also a member of the Diversity Dialogues platform
Fotiadi, S.E. (forthcoming 2025) ‘On tactile architecture: from vibro-raised reliefs to theatre spaces. A conversation between Adi Hollander and Eva Fotiadi’. In Fotiadi, E., ed. Exhibiting for Multiple Senses. Amsterdam, Valiz
Fotiadi, S.E. (2025). ‘Agonistic Spaces and Safe Spaces in Monuments and Public Art for Communities Sharing Trauma‘. The Palgrave Encyclopedia of Cultural Heritage and Conflict. I. Saloul, B. Baillie (eds.) https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-61493-5_261-1
Fotiadi, S.E. (2024) Multisensory Technologies for Inclusive Exhibition Spaces: Disability Access Meets Artistic and Curatorial Research. Multimodal Technologies and Interaction 8, no. 8: 74. https://doi.org/10.3390/mti8080074 https://www.mdpi.com/2414-4088/8/8/74
Fotiadi, E. (2024, Nov) Exhibiting for Multiple Senses: Artistic Research for Sensory Diverse Bodies. Workshop Sensorial Encounters: Haptic and Non-Visual Access in Art. Bibliotheca Hertziana, Rome
Living in cities developed around data and acting within the inscrutable structure of our techno-society demands art and design that can help understand how we relate to these rapidly changing surroundings and to reflect on that relationship. The research group Situated Art, Design and Technology responds to this exigency by fostering a situated turn in art and design through a diverse portfolio of interdisciplinary research projects in partnership with academic and cultural partners, as well as with government and industry.
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