What do ancient and medieval visual arts have in common with modern Antigypsyism in German pop culture? At first glance, these topics seem entirely unrelated — one rooted in the distant past, and the other in urgent contemporary concerns. Yet in today’s episode, Dr. Tereshchenko and Dr. Brunssen open up a surprising conversation between two very different fields of study.

Even though their research topics differ widely in time period and subject matter, both scholars explore how visual culture reflects and reinforces the ways societies define and exclude the Other. Our discussion raises compelling questions about the power of images — whether ancient or modern — to shape public perception, transmit social values, and sometimes determine who belongs and who doesn’t.

Join us for a thought-provoking exchange that bridges disciplines, histories and media forms. You might find that the gap between past and present isn’t quite as wide as it first appears.