Teaching period: 20th – 24th March, 2023
Location: Jutland Art Academy, Aarhus
Teacher(s): Ralo Mayer
ECTS: 2 study points (equal to 2 ECTS)
Number of available places for KUNO students: 3
Level: BA /MA (all years)
Requirements: no previous knowledge needed
Course description:
Within the workshop we will approach a plethora of objects, and we will try to weave stories around them as much as between ourselves. How can we, as artists, tell stories that present multi-subjective perspectives on a complex world, and how can we tell stories about things and their relations without playing into the hands of conspiracy theories? No definite answers are to be expected, but perhaps we will begin with each of us bringing along an object of interest.
The workshop integrates several aspects and modes of working with stories in art: a reflection on modes of investigation, the translation of research into storytelling, for instance as spatial settings or in time-based media, and a certain inclination towards speculative fiction and outer space. These aspects – and their questioning – are also key elements of my own practice.
The term “plot”, for instance, is quite a wondrous word. It radiates ambivalence and contradiction. Against the rather location-based and territorial concept of site (and artistic approaches towards it), plot can refer not only to a piece of land and its intended economic use, but also invokes geometry, various shades of scheming, or story lines in fiction.
When an object is used as a prop in a performance, on stage, or on screen, a peculiar transformation takes place, interplay of script, story and other actors allows for new and playful ways of interacting. Through performative research, we can make use of this playfulness for artistic storytelling.
BIO:
Oscillating between art, filmmaking and research, Ralo Mayer’s work delineates “ecologies of contemporary history”. By exploring concepts such as space settlements, artificial ecosystems, or asteroid mining, he creates artistic storytelling about pasts, futures and the science fiction of everyday life, on and off Earth. Mayer has studied art at republican and royal art academies in Vienna and Copenhagen and has co-founded the self-organized Manoa Free University. His work has been presented at exhibitions, film festivals, theaters and conferences. In his artistic PhD about “Space Un·Settlements” Mayer has investigated the relation between scenarios of human life in outer space and rather earthly realities here, on our planet, through the concept of un·Earthing. His current interests include licking meteorites, kids in space and clouds on exoplanets.
Application deadline: 20th February, 2023
How to apply: Please send a short motivation (mention also your full name, home university, study level, contacts) as an attachment to frontdesk@djk.nu. Please state the course name “Plots and Props and stories of Un-Earthing” in an email subject title.
Financial Support by KUNO:
Travel support between countries: 330 € (except 660 € to/from Iceland)
Subsistence per week: 250 € per week.
In case of any questions please contact Susanne Brokmann at: frontdesk@djk.nu
