Sketches of Emerging Ephemera Studies: Sharing the Ever-receding Thresholds

Abstract

This paper traces the evolution and expansion of "Ephemera Studies" as an interdisciplinary field by organising literature using the term "ephemera" across disciplines. The evolution of the term "ephemera" and the trends in research employing it are analysed across four distinct periods: the pre-terminological era (up to the first half of the 20th century), the period of the term's establishment (1960-1975), the era of expanding practice and research (1975-2000), and the transformative period marked by the penetration of digital technology and deepening critical theory (2000-2025). This analysis pays attention to the social context, geographical and linguistic spread, and shifts in the term's meaning. It particularly notes how recent years have seen cases analysing ephemera against the backdrop of diverse theoretical fields such as media, film, performance, and material culture. It also observes a shift in recognition of the archival significance of ephemera, influenced by critical theories shared across disciplines in humanities and social sciences. This identifies the significance of ephemera studies as a shared interdisciplinary ground and as a paratext concerning our own understanding of materials and archives across different eras.