A series of thematic projects allows participants to engage critically with issues in contemporary art and theory.
Issues in contemporary art and theory are never clear-cut and simple, nor are they stable. Terms and approaches have a different meaning and relevance in different contexts, and are continuously developed and utilised, negotiated and debated, reconsidered and reinvested. Rather than covering a fixed set of themes and references, we therefore address the Issues in Art & Theory module through an annually changing programme of thematic projects. This allows us to engage flexibly and (self-)critically with a range of relevant issues, and to work with challenging artists, curators, critics and theorists.
The thematic projects offer a forum for the exploration of artistic approaches and theoretical concepts, referring back to the critical frameworks from which they have emerged, but also looking at their potential, relevancy and implications in the present. The projects deliberately connect theory and practice, and focus on themes and topics that cut into and across different practices and discourses (visual art practice, related artistic practices, social practices, exhibition making, art criticism, cultural theory, philosophy, politics, etcetera).
Descriptions of current and past thematic projects, seminars and lectures can be found in the ‘current programme’ and the ‘programme archive’ sections of this site. Recurring fields of interest have been amongst others the relation between public and private space; the urban environment and social commentary; and strategies of presentation and dissemination.
Through your own engagement with particular thematic projects you will develop a critical framework and vocabulary to reflect on issues in art and theories, as well as on specific artworks and artistic approaches, and to consider your own work and working methods within this expanded context.
Thematic projects may take the form of a seminar, a lecture series, or a workshop involving a combination of seminars, lectures and self-directed research. Project work will often include reading and discussing texts, analysis of art works and artistic approaches, joint exhibition visits and excursions, work on location, and (public) presentations.
Making a choice of projects
You are expected to participate in four thematic projects, selected from the annual programme, in the course of your studies. You are free to do more, and receive extra credits for extra projects. Before you embark on your graduation project, you should have completed three of the thematic projects.
Normally a thematic project lasts one trimester. Joint project activities may be organised in weekly meetings or in intensive workshops, depending on the project. Each thematic project may account for one or two days of work per week, including group meetings in seminars, lectures and joint exhibition visits, reading texts, undertaking self-directed research and preparing presentations. Lecture programmes are less intense than projects in workshop format.
The thematic projects will take ca. 30% of your time during your studies.