Art and society are inherently linked and intertwined. One has never managed to exist without the other. It’s obvious that art has an impact on our societies, communities and politics. But how can artists organise this impact in a conscious way? To address this question, the IST curriculum is expanding with six new impact labs. These labs all depart from focusing on artistic production or research and instead look into how art and artists have an impact on our world.
We also further emphasise the interdisciplinary tradition of IST. We expand outwards from visual arts to entirely new formats of engagement with a debating course “Matters of debate” given by Alexandra Phillips or with a collaborative broadcasting course titled “Sonic Storytelling” taught by KABK alums Emilia Martin and Sophie Allerding. Collaboration is central to the impact labs as we believe that change comes through collective action, and not through individual genius.
Artists as educators
The impact labs will also look at what other roles artistic practices can be part of or even lead. For example, KABK teacher Mona Penn Jousset will lead a course with the title “Artist as educator” and make the case for education as something central to impact and introduce students to skills necessary to take part in impact through education. Positioning is another part of impact. Yin Yin Wong, Teacher Graphic Design at KABK, will teach a course with the title “Positioning the I: The world within your work.” This will be about figuring out how to bring art to the audiences it most relates to or better yet, impacts.
KABK’s newly appointed director Ranti Tjan will also teach a course with the title “Post it: why, where and how to present?.” Ranti’s course will cover the importance of a conscious presentation and the impact choices involved in presentation can have on the audience.
Online IST market
The new additions to the curriculum were largely made through an open call that attracted more than 130 applications. This shows great interest in engaged, interdisciplinary and critical education and signals that such education within the academy should only be further reinforced.
An IST market will be held online on the 31st of August. During this market, students can familiarise themselves with the offer for upcoming semester and choose an IST of their preference.