Admission requirements
There are no admission requirements for this elective course.
Description
Are you writing about your own art practice, writing about the work of other artists or is writing a part of your practice as an artist, researcher or curator? There are many deliberate choices to be made before writing and different trjaectories to be discovered during writing. In this course, we will explore the basic choices you can make when writing a text: when to be objective or subjective, when to be showing or telling, which perspective to use, what tense to write in and which format or lay-out to use.? In short: how do you find or develop the appropriate form or style that enhances the specific content you want to address? And what are the effects of those choices on reader and writer?
The aim of the course is to stimulate students to write and to develop a personal approach or ‘voice’. The emphasis, therefore, lies on ‘learning through doing’, which means that the experiment with and the practice of the writing itself is the basis for learning, while the theoretical input offers context and understanding.
Themes and lectures:
SESSION #1: OBJECTIVE
Introduction: to the course and to each other. Introduction into ‘writing objectively’
Assignment: visit a specific location and write about what you experience there in an objective way
Group discussion on the texts
Homework: finishing texts and reading literature
SESSION #2: SUBJECTIVE
Introduction: discussing literature with objective and subjective descriptions and the notions of ‘showing’ and ‘telling’
Assignment: visit a specific location and write about what you experience there in a subjective way
Group discussion of the texts
Homework: finishing texts and reading literature
SESSION #3: PERSPECTIVE
Introduction: discussing literature and other examples which use different perspectives and talking about the process of editing
Assignment: with the use of a given starting text, explore different perspectives in the same situation
Group discussion of the texts
Homework: finishing texts and reading literature
SESSION #4: POINT OF VIEW
Introduction: discussing literature and other examples which show different points of view of writers
Assignment: different exercises exploring the different positions a writer can take: zooming in or –out, frog or bird perspective, close to- or far away from the subject matter
Group discussion of the texts
Homework: finishing texts and reading literature
SESSION #5: TENSE
Introduction: discussing literature with different and unusual use of tense
Assignment: an exercise exploring different tenses in the same scene and their effects on the content and experience of the text
Group discussion of the texts
Homework: finishing texts and reading literature
SESSION #6: IMPROVISATION
Introduction: discussing literature and other examples based on improvisation
Assignment: doing improvisation exercises in building up a text
Group discussion of the texts
Homework: finishing texts and reading literature
SESSION #7: FORM
Introduction: Discussing (artistic, conceptual) literature and art where the format or layout of the text relates to the content
Assignment: assignments in ‘conceptual writing’ working with poetry, rules and restrictions
Group discussion of the texts
Homework: finishing texts and preparing the last assignment
SESSION #8: FICTION
Introduction: discussing (artistic) literature and literature about art were storytelling and fiction play a role, what do they contribute to the content?
Assignment: class exercises that can help to explore and start with the last assignment
Homework: finishing final assignment
SESSION #9: GROUP DISCUSSION OF THE FINAL ASSIGNMENT
Short version of the final assignment: Write about a work of art (can be yours) in 3 to 5 texts, in different formats and/or from different perspectives, so that the formal aspects of the work and your relation to it? become clear. The goal is to use a combination of fiction, reflection and analysis to discuss the work. The use of fiction can enhance the understanding of the work and gives you tools and possibly freedom to make your point or explain your experience.
For whom?
For 2nd, 3rd an 4th year BA students of the KABK and Leiden University.
Full attendance is obligatory in order to receive study points (KABK: towards the Individual Study Trajectory).
Studyload 3 EC.
15 to 20 students can participate in the programme.
The course will be in English.
Course objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
Have developed writing skills;
Know what the effects of basic understandings within a writing practice will have on the text, the reader and the writer;
Be able to play with different formats of writing to express ideas and opinions about art and
Design and on one’s own work;
Be able to critically reflect on the work of others
Timetable
Dates, times and locations
***To be updated for 2021-2022! ***
The course consists of nine meetings during the 1st semester on Wednesday afternoons from 16.00-19.00 hrs:
Location
The lectures/workgroups and the exam take place at KABK, rooms please see above.
Mode of instruction
Lectures and workshops
Assessment method
Student shows initiative and originality in the handling of assignments
Student gives expression to a distinctive (artistic/discursive) ambition or vision
Student develops and explores (offered) techniques and theories
Student demonstrates a critical and inquiring attitude toward the techniques and theories that are offered
Student effectively organizes the process (e.g. meets deadlines and assignment requirements, presence in class)
Student engages in dialogue about one’s writing and that of others
Student draws insights from discussions and implements feedback
Student productively collaborates with fellow students
The final results will be collected in a portfolio. ECTS credits will be awarded on the basis of the assignments, the final portfolio and on the performance in class.
Reading list
TBA
Registration
Enrolment through uSis is mandatory. Please apply before 7 September 2020.
General information about uSis is available on the website
Contact
Lecturer: Liesbeth Fit
Coordinator: Emily Huurdeman
Remarks
About the lecturer
Liesbeth Fit works as an independent writer, editor, curator and researcher. She studied design at the Utrecht School of the Arts and Cultural Studies at the University of Amsterdam. Currently she teaches writing and narrative classes at Design Academy Eindhoven and is a contributing editor of www.lexiconofdesignresearch.com where she also developed podcasts on design research. At the Royal Academy of Art, The Hague she worked as theory teacher for the Interior
Design department and developed the Research & Discourse program and the Writing Art course in cooperation with the Readership Art, Theory and Practice. She published on design, art and architecture in a.o Items, Smaak, Mr. Motley and the Journal of Modern Craft and was an editor for Z Magazine. Her latest publication is in: De Vet, A. (ed.). (2020). Design Dedication. Adaptive mentalities in design education (2020). Amsterdam: Valiz.
For other courses in the domains of music and fine arts, please visit:
Overview of elective courses in music and fine arts
Information about ACPA's education:
[Elective courses music and fine arts](https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/humanities/academy-of-creative-and-performing-arts/tuition "Elective courses music and fine arts")