| Agents of Transformation in Art and Design: Second cycle, first conversation |
Agents of TransformationSecond cycle, first conversation
Student interested in tackling global challenges such as climate change, sustainability, democratic resilience and social cohesion raised their voices at an international level, proposing solutions and initiatives, and connecting with peers and stakeholders to create a positive impact? Agents of Transformation is a student-driven platform for systemic change through art and design. The first conversation, held online on 21 April 2022 gathered students from different disciplines to pose questions, identify outcomes and explore milestones on the following topic tracks:
Workshop lead: Yris Apsit, Zurich University of the Arts This research activity will mobilise intersectional and gender perspectives in transcultural exchanges. The goal of this workshop is to voice and think together about what 'institutional responsibility' is. Participants will formulate a critical perspective to collectively draft living protocols and open an urgent conversation about 'care'. Who is cared for, and how is care given in our educational institutions?
Before the workshop, Yris invites you to listen to Sara Ahmed's work 'On Complaint':
Workshop leads: Albert Gené (Barcelona School of Design and Engineering - ELISAVA), Justin Wong (Hong Kong / London), Victoria Cho (Maryland Institute College of Art) and Christoph Weckerle (Zurich University of the Arts) In this workshop, we address the challenging role of the arts in an era of populism on a global scale. Based on selected cases, we discuss the implications to develop alternative strategies. What are the specific practices of artists and designers employed when utilising and hacking technology? How can the arts really make a difference and generate an impact? Why is it important to not only focus on content but also gain a deep understanding of the context? Why should the next generation reframe arts education? Workshop lead: Klasse Klima, Berlin University of the Arts Klasse Klima was founded in 2019 at the Berlin University of the Arts to establish the urgency of the climate crisis in creative education. Klasse Klima engages in events and debates on the intersection of art, design and ecology. This workshop will focus on how to integrate the climate crisis in art and design teaching and learning. Workshop lead: Daniel Kledtke & Fanny Desjonquères, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) This workshop is designed for students from all areas of study with a focus on STEAM. It includes circularity in terms of sharing solutions; multi-functional urban design, spaces and infrastructures; and circular governance (involving citizens from co-creation to -production, -monitoring, -dissemination etc.). The workshop is linked with the recently initiated CrAFt project and the NEB impact model that helps cities harness the value of inclusiveness, aesthetics and sustainability, within local contexts, in their transformation towards climate neutrality. The aim is to start the conversation and exploration on these topics and co-create responses with students.
Art and design play an important role in societal transformation, cultural identity and cross-sectoral innovation. They help create shared visions and utopias, foster empathy, change attitudes and mindsets. Art and design provide emancipatory potential, open new perspectives and foster purpose-driven impact. Agents of Transformation helps to leverage the potential of art and design for a sustainable, inclusive and pluralistic society. The initiative was started in 2021 by ELIA and Berlin University of the Arts to engage students around the topics of the New European Bauhaus. The activities continue in 2022, with a yearly cycle of different episodes, covering student engagement, expert consultation, public dialogue and follow-up. Students from all disciplines, interested and engaged in sustainability, inclusivity, accessibility and innovation, were invited to actively participate in the workshop tracks. After the first conversation, students were asked to present their ideas directly to European Commission experts and participate in a public dialogue with decision-makers from higher education, politics and industries alike. Registration deadline: 20 April
Become an agent of transformation. Drive change. Join us.
Meet the workshop leadersYris Apsit (COL/FR) studied political sciences and specialised in body politics and gender studies. She is a researcher and multimedia artist. She is part of the cohort of the MA Transdisciplinary Studies at the ZHdK (CH) and is currently working (against the odds) on her project "Institutional Responsibility: Protocols of Care". She is based at the moment in her hometown Cali, Colombia. Victoria Cho attends the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), where she is expected to receive her Bachelor of Fine Arts in the Spring of 2022 and her Master's of Arts in Teaching in 2023. Victoria majors in Painting and minors in Printmaking and Curatorial Studies. Victoria's interest in museum education has led her to acquire work experience at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and Renwick Gallery through their Advanced-Level Internship programme. Victoria currently works in MICA's Center for Career Development, where she represents them as a Peer Career Advisor (PCA) and student ambassador. As a PCA, Victoria engages students in professional development workshops and events and provides one-on-one career counselling sessions. Fanny Desjonquères has a bachelor in architecture and is now studying one year at NTNU in Norway, for an erasmus exchange, in architecture and urban planning. She is expected to finish her master degree in 2024 at ENSA Paris La Villette in France, after a gap year to work in a bio-based architecture studio. She is currently doing some research for her master thesis about the role of industrial zones, especially in the suburbs of Paris, for sustainable cities. Daniel Kledtke, B.A. of Architecture, is currently studying for a year at NTNU Trondheim in Norway as part of an Erasmus stay. He is expected to complete his Master's degree with a focus on wood architecture at TU München in spring 2023. As part of his Master's degree, he is working on design-build projects and urban interventions with a focus on more sustainable lifestyles and infrastructures. During his bachelor's degree at the MSA Münster School of Architecture, he worked intensively on the topic of Timber construction in urban spaces: glueless solid wood construction as an alternative to conventional building methods and spent a semester at the BUT Brno University of Technology, Czech Republic. He gained his first professional experience and contacts with wood as a building material at A-Z Architekten in Wiesbaden, Germany, and Juri Troy Architects in Vienna, Austria, among others. Albert Gené Salgado specialises in humour and design. He graduated in graphic design from BAU University in Barcelona and is currently studying for a Master's degree in Design and Communication (MUDIC) at ELISAVA. He works as a cartoonist for several Spanish publications such as "El jueves" and "Mongolia" and on various humorous projects such as "el Estafador". Justin Wong is a London-based comics artist. He began his career as a political cartoonist and illustrator in 2007 when he started publishing his daily political cartoon column Gei Gei Gaak Gaak in the newspaper Ming Pao in Hong Kong. Since then, he has published several comics series including Lonely Planet, Hello World, This City / That City, New Hong Kong, Big Time, and Je préfèrerais ne as. Justin was an Assistant Professor at the Academy of Visual Arts at Hong Kong Baptist University. His research interests include comics studies, generative comics, and the development of political cartoons in Hong Kong. |
