Course syllabus: Materialities
Introduction
This course is a freestanding continuation of previous Materialities courses and aimed at professional visual artists and others who through artistic practices wish to investigate and unravel materiality qua (alt “as a form of”) energy and medium in an experimental and interdisciplinary manner. Springing from the artistic practices of each student, the course aims to employ materiality, technology and theory in creating the conditions for developing novel artistic methods. Students will be tutored through a series of labs in which the processing of a material or medium promotes the conception of new workflows, and which provide the practical experience and theoretical tools to explore in depth the transmission, transformation and perception of materiality and immateriality, of visibility and invisibility.
Theme and content
The mass and molecular composition of stone speaks not only of its own genesis, but of our existence and origin. The vast expansion that once released energy in the creation of our universe is that very energy stored in matter. Matter can be transformed and transmuted, shaped and reshaped, purposed and repurposed; yet its energy remains intact. While matter can carry the subjective attributes that give our world its body and color, it is nonetheless its own medium.
Energy is the exploratory starting point of the course Materialities; energies. The energy that is released in the transformation of matter can be visible, as when light rays reflect off the objects that surround us or, more abstractly, whenever electrical energy is stored. Electromagnetic radiation, the visible and invisible forms of energy whose wavelengths optical instruments can detect, is one of several forms of energy that leaves a mark and is therefore suitable for artistic investigation. Since electromagnetic radiation is also a prerequisite for photosynthesis, the scope of our studies broadens beyond mere representation to the sun’s significance for our existence.
Materialities; energies comprises a series of labs that use visuality, measurability and traceability as tools and guidance. Through the awareness of energy footprints and recognition of their vitality and context, conditions are created for artistic expression to expand and gain agency in our age. Over an academic year, energy—the basal, yet most abstract, form of matter—will be the foundation on which we construct our artistic language.
The practical course components aim to use energy-capturing techniques which in its context are developmental. We will work with digital and analog optical technologies, digital 3D, sonic technologies and more. By observing how science, philosophy and art have each “captured its day”, we will seek out the spaces and contexts that bewitchingly harbor energies’ abstract forms.
Course structure
Materialities; energies proceeds from the artistic practices of each student being supervised through a series of component stages. The course consists of practical and thematic laboratory work, lectures, study visits, individual and group seminars and a study trip, concluding with a joint public exhibition/presentation.
The academic year includes a study trip that ties content to practice. For one week out of the month, scheduled activities in the form of workshops and seminars alternate with individual supervision. At other times, independent study is conducted outside of school, the progress of which is presented in seminar form during both semesters. The course concludes with a public group exhibition in which your course-related work is shared.
- Scope of the course and rate of study: 60 ECTS credits (full-time)
- The academic year starts: 29 August 2022
- The academic year ends: 4 June 2023
- Level: Advanced
Entry requirements: Degree of Master of Fine Arts, or a master degree in another relevant field of study, or equivalent professional experience. The course is aimed at professional visual artists and others whose artistic practices seek to find expression, gain agency and chime with the theme of the course.
English is the main language of instruction. In addition, some non-obligatory course literature and course components might be respectively assigned and conducted in Swedish. For language requirements in English see the Application instructions.
Selection:
Selection is based on an overall assessment of the applicant’s five submitted work samples, CV and cover letter containing both a description of the applicant’s artistic work and a motivation for their applying to the course.
- Responsible teachers for the course: Senior Lecturers Åsa Andersson Broms and Björn Larsson
- Contact: studera.postmaster@kkh.se