Vanina Saracino
Artistic Research in the Anthropocene
Block seminar, English, 2 SWS, 2 ECTS
Fridays, 14-20 h /Saturdays, 10-17 h, at 10.1./11.1. & 24.1./25.1.2025, Hardenbergstr. 33, room 004

Registration on Moodle starts 14.10.2024:
https://moodle.udk-berlin.de/moodle/course/view.php?id=2448
Moodle Enrollment Key: research

INFOSESSION: Monday, 21.10.2024, 17h: https://meetings.udk-berlin.de/b/leo-pl8-wdv-q8e

Through an interdisciplinary approach encompassing art and science, the seminar “Artistic Research in the Anthropocene” examines exhibitions and artworks that distance themselves from anthropocentric and binary worldviews. It aims to subvert the nature-culture dualism, emphasizing the autopoietic force of all living matter. The seminar offers a non-exhaustive survey of artists' practices in the hybrid fields of experimental film and video, embracing posthuman modes of thinking. The works considered challenge human exceptionalism, reflecting a critical transformation wherein the Homo Sapiens-centric sciences of the 21st century fail to capture and articulate the richness of new biological findings and worldviews.

Learning goals: Gain insights into the intersection of art and science, particularly in the context of the Anthropocene; encourage creative and critical thinking in addressing complex issues related to the Anthropocene; learn about key concepts such as autopoiesis, human exceptionalism, holobiont and the impact of new biological findings on contemporary artworks; understand how artistic practices can contribute to scientific discourse and vice versa; Develop the ability to critically analyze and interpret artworks and exhibitions that engage with posthumanism and the Anthropocene.

Activities: excursions to exhibitions, collective readings, analysis of artworks.

Fulfilment criteria for ungraded accreditation: attending80% of the seminar; portfolio assignment (short exhibition review with text and images. Exhibition chosen by the students).

Vanina Saracino (she/they) is an independent curator, writer, and lecturer. Her work focuses on artistic research that questions anthropocentric and binary worldviews from an intersectional perspective. With extensive international experience, she has curated exhibitions globally, including two editions of the Screen City Biennial: "Other Minds" (Berlin, 2022) and "Ecologies – Lost, Found and Continued" (Stavanger, 2019). A research advisor to artists for large projects, Saracino has recently collaborated with Petrit Halilaj on "Abetare" at The Met – Roof Garden Commission (NYC, 2024). Since 2021, she is Adjunct Professor of Experimental Film and Media Art at Universität der Künste, Berlin.