De/Cipher: HASA's Undergraduate Research Symposium

The History of Art Students’ Association (HASA) is hosting their annual symposium on March 16th, 2024. The overall purpose of the conference is to help undergraduate art historians engage and explore their fields of interests in a supportive and challenging environment, whilst developing both academic and professional skills.

Human beings have always been fascinated by symbols and hidden messages. Throughout history, messages have been encoded in various visual and written formats. From poetry to painting, it takes time to interpret what the creator of an artwork wants the viewer to see. Art can serve as a unique way of indirectly imparting a message upon an audience, whether that be a political agenda, an assertion of self-identity, or deep-rooted religious beliefs. In this symposium, we’re exploring the various ways these messages have been communicated from the artist to the viewer through art, both in the past and in the present day.

There will be nine undergraduate speakers presenting their exciting papers and two keynote speakers: University of Toronto's own Dr. Jessica Mace and Canadian artist and curator Micah Lexier. ​ 

Click here for more information and to register for your free tickets.