DIRT

This seminar focuses on the art and theory of dirt. Together, we will develop experimental mindsets and expand our practices through the collective conceptualization of dirt and what makes it possible.

By exploring the concept of dirt, one automatically asks questions about the theoretical understanding and perception of the material world. Dirt raises questions about how we humans live on both micro and macro levels. Here the students will explore the central role of the subjective and objective in working with concepts such as dirt, pollution, toxicity, cleanliness, and purity.

For each class, there will be presentations and discussions of theories and artworks by teachers and the students. The second part will be workshop-based, where the students are going to develop their subjective understanding of dirt, the idea of a dirty, polluted world, as well as concepts of perception, affect, otherness, materialism, abjection, horror, and the grotesque through artistic and philosophical engagement.

The main questions of the workshop will be: How is dirt possible and how is it related to perception? What can we say about dirt in a post-human framing? Where do we place dirt aesthetically?

REQUIREMENTS

The students should read the following texts before the course starts:

1) Olli Lagerspetz, A Philosophy of Dirt (London, UK: Reaktion Books, 2018);
2) Julia Kristeva, Powers of Horror. An Essay on Abjection, trans. Leon S. Roudiez (New York: Columbia University Press, 1982).

SCHEDULE

Monday, 20.09.2021: Lectures and workshop
Tuesday, 21.09.2021: Lectures and workshop
Wednesday, 22.09.2021: Lectures and workshop
Thursday, 23.09.2021: Lectures and workshop
Friday to Saturday, 24.-25.09.2021: Student exhibition/performances

Jacob Eriksen is a sound artist and researcher living and working in Berlin. He studied musicology, philosophy, and sound studies in Copenhagen, Toronto, and Berlin, and is currently completing his Ph.D. in Sound Studies and Sonic Arts at the Berlin University of the Arts on the topic of post human attitudes in sonic arts. Jacob’s work as an artist, researcher, and lecturer oscillates between artistic experimental practice and theoretical conceptualization. He has lectured at UdK Berlin, The New Centre for Research and Practice, Humboldt University of Berlin, University of Copenhagen, and the Rhythmic Music Conservatory Copenhagen, exhibited, and performed internationally. 

http://jacoberiksen.dk

Diana Ø. Tørsløv Møller is a performer and psychologist based in Copenhagen. Diana is a trained clinical psychologist and gained her Master's from the University of Copenhagen. She holds additional diplomas from Macquarie University, Sydney, from Fatamorgana School of Photography, Copenhagen, and Prague Film School. Since 2006, she has been working as a psychotherapist. Parallel to the therapy work, she has worked in the intersection between performance, installation, and psychology. She is also a part of the Danish-German performance group SIGNA.