Intuitive action, a sensing workshop

Breakout Session 1: Thursday 21 November 14:30 - 16:30
Brenda Duggan, Nora Duggan, Technological University Dublin, Ireland

This workshop challenges the prevailing anthropocentric perspective that separates humans from their environment by prioritising intuition over conventional knowledge-making. Drawing inspiration from Henri Bergson's call to action, the session is designed to cultivate an affective and performative connection with the world. Participants, guided to a nearby location blindfolded, engage in walking, sitting, and note-taking exercises, relying on senses other than sight. By focusing on hearing, touch, and smell, the workshop aims to counter-map the environment, fostering an ecology of sensing practices. This counter-mapping seeks to shift participants' perspectives, quieting rational perception to allow intuitive knowing within a 'zone of in-determination'. The culmination involves creating a map that acknowledges shared internal, involved, and relational knowledge, challenging conventional sensory distributions and promoting embodied, relational thinking-in-movement.

The Ethical Table: Embedding an ethical framework for creative practice within design curricula

Breakout Session 2: Thursday 21 November 17:00 - 18:30
Silke Lange, Adriana Cobo Corey, Norah Dankwah, Zeina Rady, University of the Arts London, United Kingdom

Embark on a journey into ethical considerations within creative practices at the upcoming session led by the Ethical Table. Originally focused on architecture and spatial practices, the platform has expanded its horizons to include art and design. The session endeavours to discuss ethical frameworks and guidance for creative practitioners, addressing current global challenges. This collaborative session, drawing insights from workshops at Central Saint Martin's, UAL, seeks to co-produce an ethical framework. Participants will explore and contribute to the conversation, sharing experiences and contemplating the integration of ethics into diverse curricula beyond architecture. Join to shape the discourse and leave with a co-produced document for ongoing exploration in your teaching and learning contexts.

Using digital simulation to help children of enemy soldiers

Breakout Session 4: Friday 22 November 11:30 - 12:30
Elin Festøy, The Norwegian Film School, Lillehammer, Norway

Elin Festøy introduces an innovative transmedia project leveraging simulation to raise awareness and empathy for Children Born of War—those born to enemy soldiers and women in occupied regions. At the forefront is the game My Child Lebensborn, simulating the experiences of a child born during World War II, which fosters empathy by challenging players to navigate historical situations of bullying and abuse. The project extends to a documentary featuring Norwegian Lebensborn children, contributing to the game's development. An educational app integrates the film and game, providing over 70 online lesson plans and group gameplay for classrooms. Proceeds support the ‘Children Born of War Project’, advocating for and researching the well-being of these children. With over 20 million plays, the game proves effective in creating empathy. The audience can engage through the app's group dialogue functionality, gaining access to the classroom version of the game. Actively participate in this workshop to explore the transformative power of this transmedia strategy in fostering empathy and driving positive change.

Ecocentrico

Breakout Session 4: Friday 22 November 11:30 - 12:30
Paola Riviezzo, Luca Prandoni , IED – Istituto Europeo di Design, Milan, Italy

The session ‘Ecocentrico’ invites participants to contemplate the essence of places on the fringes of urban landscapes, serving as dynamic intersections between human activity and the natural world. This reflection challenges traditional notions of nature as a passive backdrop, urging a broader critical examination of humanity's role in the ecosystem. Through public participatory workshops, the session explores the potential of design to regenerate lost connections and foster new symbiotic relationships within our environment. Participants will delve into the plural meanings of abandoned spaces, crafting projects that narrate the layered identities shaped by interactions between cityscapes, communities, and diverse living species. The session also prompts reflection on the purpose of education, emphasising experiential learning and the ethical dimensions of design practice.

Walking an ontological turn

Breakout Session 4: Friday 22 November 11:30 - 12:30
Koenraad Hinnekint, LUCA School of Arts, Belgium

Join a transformative exploration of speculative ideas challenging the human-centric paradigm in higher arts education. In this innovative intervention, participants embark on a journey to reimagine education from a nature-oriented perspective. Delving into non-human forms of knowledge, the session transcends traditional boundaries, fostering a holistic understanding of the continuum between living and non-living entities. In this thought experiment, participants will reflect on approaching artistic and learning environments from an ecosystem perspective (nature) rather than relying solely on human approaches (culture).

Artistic Intelligence in Urban Spaces

Breakout Session 4: Friday 22 November 11:30 - 12:30
Mahmoud Saleh Mohammadi, Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp, Belgium

This interactive workshop delves into the potential of artistic intelligence within urban contexts, emphasising community engagement and social change. Participants will explore transformative principles through collaborative activities, discussions, and hands-on exercises inspired by Mahmoud Saleh Mohammadi’s impactful projects at Spazio Nour. Key objectives include understanding artistic intelligence, analysing case studies aligned with the conference theme, developing co-creation skills, critically reflecting on participatory art interventions, and envisioning future urban spaces infused with artistic intelligence. The structured session includes an introduction with an icebreaker and presentation, case study analysis through group discussions, a co-creation activity, guided discussions on challenges and opportunities, and a visioning and action planning segment. Mahmoud facilitates discussions and adapts the workshop based on participant backgrounds. Post-workshop engagement involves a follow-up discussion forum, fostering reflections and collaboration. The closing remarks include a summary of key learnings and networking opportunities for potential collaborations. Join this workshop to explore the transformative power of artistic intelligence in reshaping urban narratives.