Netta Weiser
Archiving the Ephemeral
Online seminar, English, 2 SWS, 2 ECTS
Wednesdays, 10-13 h, 8 (not only) video sessions: 11.11., 18.11., 25.11., 2.12., 9.12., 16.12.2020, 13.1., 20.1.2021

This seminar familiarizes students with the major theoretical and critical concepts through which the archive is discussed in artistic contexts, while elaborating the challenges ephemeral and body-based arts are posing to archival logics. At the same time, it addresses artistic practices in relation to the archive, examining a broad range of strategies such as re-enactments, imaginary archives and documentation as performative practice. In relation to these, the seminar examines the effects of the current digital turn and its implications on knowledge production in dance and performance art.

The course will include discussions, readings, virtual visits to digital archives as well as creative practice, and will take place in a hybrid format – combining online sessions and meetings at the Media Library for Dance and Theater of MIME Centrum Berlin in the Kunsthaus Bethanien, Kreuzberg.

Requirements for the ungraded Studium Generale credits: active and regular participation.

DOCUMENTATION of the seminar: https://archivingtheephemeral.wordpress.com/blog/

Netta Weiser is a choreographer, performer and lecturer based in Berlin. In her artistic practice, she explores collaborative research processes as choreographic artefacts and as affective setups for common thinking. Her works have been presented internationally in art galleries and performing arts venues such as Sophiensaele Berlin, Museum Kleines Klingental Basel and Suzan Delal Dance Center Tel Aviv. Weiser is the 2020 recipient of the NRW KULTURsekretariat Dance Research Award for her artistic research project “Radio-Choreography”. Since 2017, she has led workshops and seminars at the Klangzeitort joint institute for new music of the UdK Berlin and HfM Hanns Eisler Berlin, focusing on contemporary dance history and theory as well as mentoring interdisciplinary collaborations between choreographers and composers. In 2019, she was co-director of the “777 Projekt” collaboration between the MA program in Choreography of HZT Berlin and Klangzeitort. Weiser is also a member of the organizing team of “gesellschaften” discursive program at Vierte Welt Berlin. More information on www.nettaweiser.com.