2014 - 2015 How To do Things With Theory / seminars, guest lectures & thesis advice curated and tutored by Alena Alexandrova, Bassam el Baroni and Marina Vishmidt
Guest lecture Monday June 15: Benjamin Noys invited by Bassam El Baroni
Guest lecture Monday May 18: Stewart Martin invited by Marina Vishmidt
Guest lecture Monday April 21: Daniel Blanga-Gubbay invited by Alena Alexandrova
Guest lecture Monday February 23: Mo Salemy invited by Bassam El Baroni
Guest lecture Monday January 19: David Panos invited by Marina Vishmidt
Guest lecture Monday December 8: Alexandra Navratil invited by Alena Alexandrova
Guest lecture Monday November 3: Bridget Crone invited by Bassam El Baroni
How To Do Things With Theory
During the course of their studies at he DAI the students have to complete a written thesis. This is the culmination of the two-year course How to do Things with Theory, which consists of a monthly theory seminar/ plenary session, a Monday-evening lecture delivered by a guest speaker and one-to-one meetings between the students and the thesis tutors Alena Alexandrova, Bassam el Baroni and Marina Vishmidt on Monday afternoons. For the plenary sessions the master students have to read, discuss and briefly introduce theoretical texts from various fields. They develop skills to read and formulate questions for further inquiry. In addition to that, practical issues related to research and writing are addressed in a workshop. The Monday evening lecture, curated by either Alena Alexandrova or Bassam el Baroni or Marina Vishmidt and delivered by a distinguished guest provides a broader context, and a chance to get acquainted with current discourse, and curatorial projects.The lectures are open to the public and will be announced under Public Events.
While during the first year the focus is on developing research skills and a central question for the thesis, formally submitted as a thesis project, during the second year the students engage in further research and writing the thesis.
The thesis is a written text and it is designed to help the students to develop skills to formulate relevant questions, which strengthen their artistic practices, and simultaneously allow them to position their work in a broader context. Theory is considered as field that ideally provides students with conceptual tools and strategies in their creative practices. The border between the theory and creative practice is porous and allows for interpenetration of ideas and approaches. Each thesis is presented to a carefully selected independent reviewer/examiner. For an overview of thesis titles plus abstracts and their subsequent external reviews from earlier years go here.
Read more about:
Read more about their seminars:
Alena Alexandrova's seminars per DAI-week in 2014-2015
Bassam El Baroni's seminars per DAI-week in 2014-2015
Marina Vishmidt's seminars per DAI-week in 2014-2015