LEARNING OUTCOMES
On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Recognise ‘change’ as a core theme in curatorial and art practices.
- Identify how ‘change’ is related to key philosophical concepts such as volatility, contingency, and uncertainty as well as political, economic, and activist discourses.
- Show how art practices have engaged with ‘change’ in diverse ways.
- Experiment with non-standard curatorial approaches that critically examine ‘change’ and social impact.
- Contribute to formulating the curatorial framework and communication of a public event.
- Develop and organise contribution(s) to a public event in collaboration with peers.
Credits: 6
Schedule: 26.02.2025 - 11.04.2025
Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):
Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Bassam El Baroni
Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):
CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period):
Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):
Teaching language: English. Languages of study attainment: English
CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD
Content
valid for whole curriculum period:
In an era when the dominant vocabulary often unreflectively and prematurely evokes changemaking and innovation, how can curatorial approaches temporarily suspend quickfire formulations of ‘change’ when addressing various issues or concerns? More importantly, can the curator/artist/artistic-researcher develop a different perspective on change and social impact, one that includes and explores diverse archives and a broader range of cultures, aesthetics, theories, and philosophies?
After an introduction, the course will be built around a series of ‘Curatorial Stacks’, designed to provide a multi-layered understanding of the curatorial process. Each stack offers a distinct story or approach to how artists, artistic researchers, and curators have thought about, proposed, and instigated change. Each stack consists of three elements: a concept explored through an assigned text, a concise portrayal of an art figure’s (collective’s or individual’s) journey and work, and an investigation of links to other practices, research, materials, and current discussions/debates.
From these stacks, we will identify frameworks, methods, and creative approaches that address volatility, uncertainty, and contingency as important factors across social, economic, and political spheres, highlighting the active shaping of social reality as an open and evolving process. The stacks will lead us into an intensive workshop week, where the focus will be on co-curating a public gathering on the final day. Here, students are encouraged to experiment with curatorial ideas, writing, alternative publishing, digital platforms, performance, and transient artworks.
Assessment Methods and Criteria
valid for whole curriculum period:
Participation and completed assignments. Minimum 80% attendance.
Workload
valid for whole curriculum period:
Contact teaching 43 h
Independent work 119 hContact teaching, lectures, screenings, in-class assignments, independent and peer work, readings, possible excursions/site-visits, participation in workshop and one-day public event.
DETAILS
Study Material
valid for whole curriculum period:
On MyCourses.
Substitutes for Courses
valid for whole curriculum period:
Prerequisites
valid for whole curriculum period:
FURTHER INFORMATION
Further Information
valid for whole curriculum period:
Teaching Language: English
Teaching Period: 2024-2025 Spring IV
2025-2026 No teachingRegistration:
ViCCA major students have priority. If there is space, then ARTS students.
Minimum amount of participants 8.
Maximum amount of participants 25.