Violence, Exile, and Homeland in Visual Arts in the Slovenian Diaspora in Argentina
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
This article addresses a matter of significance to the arts, to migration studies, and to both Europe and the Global South. I learned a great deal reading the paper and applaud the author's exploration of a topic that deserves attention. The historical, political and cultural context described in the paper provides excellent insight into the complexities of the issues addressed, and the nuanced approach to interpretations of the concept of "diaspora" is well done.
I do have a few recommendations for improving the paper to make it more readable, clear and ready for publication.
--Clarify in the abstract and earlier in the paper the overall methodological approach. Although it is described succinctly in the first sentence of the Methodological Note on p. 4, and you mention ethnographic research in the first sentence of the paper, tell us up earlier -- but briefly -- the basis of your research and what to expect in the paper. The first two paragraphs of opening are compelling. After lines 46-48 on p. 2 would be the perfect place to add 2-3 sentences telling us what you did with your research and where you will take us in the paper.
--Then, when you get to the section on methods, describe them in more detail so we get a better understanding of the process you followed. For example, tell us how and where (only Buenos Aires?) you conducted the fieldwork/participant observation, how you chose your interviewees, how many artists you interviewed, and how you recorded, transcribed and analyzed interview responses. That will underscore the care you took in your research and help establish credibility for the results you report and for your conclusions.
--When reporting the interviews, include a few more direct quotations to back up the general summaries offered. Be clear how you derived the themes reported. As currently written, it sounds as if you simply worked through your notes and came up with the themes. The paper is too informative for me to believe that is the case. Yet I want clarity about how you came up with the general statements you make.
--In the Conclusion, describe limitations of the study, your contributions to theory (for example, understanding of diaspora and the link between the arts and migration studies), and what future research is needed to build on your work.
--I also recommend you edit down the historical/contextualizing sections where possible (there is a bit of redundancy here and there that can be edited out) to make room for sharing more of your ethnographic observations and interview data.
--It would be wonderful to include a few example photos of sculpture and visual art pieces, so readers can see for themselves how the diaspora is expressed in the art work.
Thank you for the opportunity to learn about the Slovenian diaspora in Argentina!
Author Response
Dear reviewer,
Thank you for your thorough reading and suggestions. Below is a summary of corrections. See also attached file with track changes and added photos.
Methods: I have added a short sentence in the abstract as well as moved the methodological note from p 4 to p 2 and 3 (end of the introduction). I also amended this methodological note, with a more detailed description of the methods, locations of participant observation, how I selected the artists for the interviews, and clarified taking of notes/use of transriptions...
How I came up with the themes: I have added an explanation in the methodological notes, why and how I came up with the themes (based on the the artists' explanations and counter-explanations of the role of the art in the community, with mentio of how they refer to this in emic terms) and also mentioned that again where I present these themes.
As suggested, I have added few sentences on p 2 after line 48 very briefly explaining the main research issue and where it takes us in the paper.
I have also edited down historical and contextualizing sections, but left some examples and quotes of histroical events and speeches that highlight the connection between the constitution of diaspora, religion and anti-communist political position. I have also added few more quotes from the interviews, although much still depends on my description/summarization of interviews.
In the conclusion I have added few sentences on limitation of the study and possibility of further deepening of the topic...
I had it proof read and put in the corrections and textual changes that hopefully will make the text easier to read.
I sincerely thanks for such a good review with concrete suggestions!
Reviewer 2 Report
This is a great and interesting piece On Slovenian refugee and cultural policies.
Although the article the visual arts by Slovenian artists in Argentina, we unfortunately don't see any single visual example. I think this would have enriched the research.
Please take care of the typo ( habe/have) in : would not habe been possible without...( L. 506)
Thanks,
Author Response
Dear reviewer,
Thank you for thorough reading. Based on another review I made some more corrections (methodological clarifications, added more quotes, slightly edited down historical and contextualizing sections...
I had the text proof read hopefully will make the text easier to read.
I also added some photos of artworks. See ammended version attached with track changes on.
Best wishes
Reviewer 3 Report
The Slovenian diaspora is a relatively undocumented topic which will be of interest to scholars and researchers in the area of migration and diaspora studies, but also artists. The article is structured and offers some insight into the Slovenian community in Buenos Aires and those of its members who are recognised artists with reference to their migration histories.
Author Response
Dear reviewer,
Thank you for thorough reading. Based on another review I made some more corrections (methodological clarifications, added more quotes, slightly edited down historical and contextualizing sections...
I had the text proof read hopefully will make the text easier to read.
I also added some photos of artworks. See ammended version attached with track changes on.
Best wishes
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
Excellent work addressing recommendations! The addition of clarifying material, quotations and, especially, the images, enriches the article. Seeing the images and reading the quotes brought your research to life for me and helped me understand the significance of both your work and the artists' diaspora on a deeper level. Reading this version through was quite moving for me. Nicely done and important work!
Reviewer 2 Report
The article is much better now. Thanks for correcting it.
