Although published a century ago, Arnold van Gennep's claim that transformative events routinely punctuate human life remains sound. These "rites of passage" demarcate landmark stages in human life (e.g., birth, initiations, marriage, death), and they are often more than ephemeral experiences. This panel examines the visual manifestations of human transformation in the ancient and early medieval Mediterranean world, and it explores the role of art and visual culture in enabling or documenting physical, spiritual, and personal change. Additionally, the session is more broadly construed to include the human capability to convey change in the visual record in response to widespread cultural "passages." We seek papers examining both objects and artwork used in or symbolizing transformative processes or events, as well as illustrations of rites of passage or transition. Participants might discuss representations of mythological transformation, symbols of spiritual conversion, instruments of political or civic initiation, or visual evidence of upheaval.

Organization: College Art Association; Organized by Renee M. Gondek, George Washington University; and Elizabeth M. Molacek, University of Virginia. Email: gondek[at]gwu.edu and em2ew[at]virginia.edu