6 May 2025

National conference

Metaversum in Masculinity: between Reality and the Paragon

Vilnius, Lithuanian Cultural Research Institute
6 May 2025

https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20230227-the-original-and-most-iconic-male-model

For over 500 years Michelangelo’s David, the dominant paragon of masculinity, continues to represent masculine attractiveness in the 21st century and catapults us to the atmosphere of freedom in Renaissance Florence. The time-traveling ideal of masculinity, conditioned by gender hierarchies, bears witness to dynamic reprogramming. How has the masculinity understanding changed and what realities do we face today? New challenges or perversions dictated by the present? The masculine identity “sanctioned” by dominant tensions opens up transformative powers and touches on critical dimensions of survival. The paragon of man, conforming to the traditional canon, has taken over the cultural masculinist image, becoming a continuation of patriarchal privileges and the embodiment of “normative masculinity.” UNESCO’s Transforming MENʼtality initiative aims to change the prevailing mindscape and dominant policies by promoting the more successful integration of men and boys into society, developing narratives and practices of positive masculinity in the context of gender equality changes. It is also expected that this initiative will transform societal norms and promote inclusive discussions about gender roles. Another initiative initiated by UNESCO and UNAIDS, the Joint Positive Masculinity Project, as a comprehensive social media campaign, is based on the aim of promoting a healthier attitude towards masculinity, developing gender equality and reducing violence. Masculinity studies are recognized as the most relevant part of social research in the 21st century. By going beyond interdisciplinary frameworks and traditional communication planes, deconstructing stereotypes and drawing paradigms of masculine identity, the contemporary reception of masculinity opens up the horizon of immersive (meta)morphoses in the modern world.

The conference is organized by:

Prof. Dr. Naglis Kardelis, Lithuanian Cultural Research Institute, naglis.kardelis@gmail.com
Dr. Margarita Matulytė, Lithuanian Cultural Research Institute, margarita.matulyte@lndm.lt
Doc. Dr. Rita Repšienė, Lithuanian Cultural Research Institute, r.repsiene@gmail.com
Nerijus Smaguris, Panacea TV, smagurisnerijus@gmail.com
We are waiting for conference presentation topics and short abstracts until April 30.