Enrolment options

Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.

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, Patrizia Costantin

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 h

     

    Contact 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
Prerequisites

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Teaching Language: English

    Teaching Period: 2024-2025 Spring IV
    2025-2026 No teaching

    Registration:

    ViCCA major students have priority. If there is space, then ARTS students.
    Minimum amount of participants 8.
    Maximum amount of participants 25.

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