Research Area B focusses on material culture and visual arts and examines objects produced in situations of dependency or depictions of them. This could e.g. include an examination of the relationship/dependency of artists from patrons, priests, religious texts or norms. One could work on the Bhakti movement where people consider themselves ’slaves of god’ (are there visual representations of this?). One could study iconographical depictions which depict suppression or dependency, such as Nataraja or Kali crushing the demon of ignorance below their feet. The theme could also be annexed statues or buildings etc. I am sure one could think of a large number of possible research foci.

In order to get a better idea of the various scholars having an interest in this area, we are organising a workshop in Bonn in February where also young candidates can present their research or their ideas for prospective projects at doctoral and postdoctoral level. The cluster will also advertise Postdoc posts to head funded research groups. We would also be very interested to involve senior international scholars in the debate of the cluster in a number of ways (visiting fellows, advisory board etc.).