Red thread for Autonomous design Masters 2018-2019:

Situating, intra-acting, designing

In the Masters programme Autonomous design we explore together ways to rethink 'spatial agencies' beyond the built environment. How can we design with affection, magnetic fields, surplus values or intimicies? By engaging with particular sites and locations in Ghent we research immanent relational aspects of public and private spaces that are not immediately visible. What's that buzz ? Where's the love ?

The way in which we collectively engage, communicate, connect, co-operate is much colouring and steering how, what, why we are 'making'. Or not. If we understand our art-practices as situated (Donna Haraway), as works that interconnect with the world at large, then the 'work' that we make or do can be approached as 're-orientation devices' (Sara Ahmed). The things, acts, concepts, textures or other proposals that we make bring new perspectives on the world. Because they also take part in the world, they maybe can change its direction.

Our bodies are culmulations of cells, fungi, microbes, intellect, chemo-electrics, emotions, desires, hormones, all interacting as if it is the simplest thing in the world. Those complex beings (that's us) are entangled in intra-acting agencies (Karen Barad) of added connectional devices, nature, matters and beings, politics and circumstances. Since 'we' are those bodies, our 'own' operations are much part of the focus of attention of this year. 

Autonomous design is a practice that reshapes the real by being an active agency of change. Being 'situated' implies to be sensitive and receptive to social structures, being aware of political, societal developments, and take them into consideration of the trajectory that you design for your work.

•     One intensive week per semester serves to reflect and learn together, grow together., co-learn, experience.
•     Each three weeks we plan a collective master meeting: peer-exchange about your work in the group.
•     Two work-shops give external input, develop new skills and understandings.

Intensive week with Hans Bryssinck ( 12 - 16 November)
(to be updated)
Private residencies of Master participants are the subject of an exploration and analyses of intimate spatiality as a creative vector. 

Intensive week with Adva Zakai (18 - 24 March)
(to be updated)
Love affection attraction as parameter for social construction. Understanding the city as a network if affinities. How we are drawn together as a site where creation emerges. 

Masterclass with Claire Williams (Mid Januari) TBC
(to be updated)
Constructing and using Electro magnetic Field antenna's and using them in a EMF derive though Ghent.
http://www.xxx-clairewilliams-xxx.com/projets/an-electromagnetic-walk/

Masterclass with Kathleen Vermeire and Ronnie Heremans (25 - 28 February)
(to be updated)
Exploration of financial surplus value as a validation of site-specific post capitalist desire. Collective investigation how current modes of financialization can be redirected towards a more sustainable model. Working site: Nieuwbouwproject Tondelier, Nieuwe Molens.