Admission requirements
Admission will take place based on a motivation letter and, when relevant, written work.
Description
There are as many different ways of writing about art as there are authors. However, it is possible to distinguish specific genres and traditions in writing art, such as art criticism, performative writing, art fiction, experimental writing, writing by artists, etc.
Can one bridge the gap between language on the one hand and the visual experience of an art work on the other? How can a personal experience of art be conveyed to the reader in a convincing and engaging way? What is the status, or the function, of text in relation to the art work, what are the possibilities and the potential limits in writing on art? Is it possible to engage in an art critical, academic or artistic discourse on visual imagery on the basis of text; and if so how does one do that?
Writing Art will familiarize students with different ways of writing about art. This is achieved through a series of combined lectures and workshops by experts (writers and artists) in which students will experiment with different approaches to ‘Writing Art’.
The course considers a range of writing on art, from examples of art criticism to contemporary and experimental modes of writing on art.
The aim of the course is to stimulate students to write and to develop a personal ‘voice’. The emphasis therefore lies on ‘learning through doing’, which means that the experiment with and the practice of the writing itself is the base for learning rather than theoretical input.
The set-up of the course is thematic. A guest lecturer, who is an expert in the particular field of writing, will address their theme in a lecture, presentation or workshop. The lecturer will expand on the theme, using examples from writing practices. Preceding or after the lecture, each lecturer will give students an assignment to write a particular type of text. The texts will be commented on at the end or after the lecture. Students will then rewrite the text for their portfolio. The texts will be discussed in the group (peer feedback) and the lecturer will also give in-depth feedback. Short writing exercises as well as a performance are part of the lectures or workshops.
Course objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, students will
Have developed writing skills;
Be able to use different ways of writing to express ideas and opinions about art and design and, in the case of art students, on one’s own work;
Be able to critically reflect on art and design and on one’s position in the field as an artist, designer, critic or researcher.
Timetable
Semester 1, 2019-2020
Time: Wednesday afternoons from 16.00-18.00 hrs.
Dates:
11 September - Prof. dr. J.C. Wesseling + Drs. Liesbeth Fit
18 september - Prof. dr. J.C. Wesseling + Drs. Liesbeth Fit
2 oktober - Guest lecturer Dr. Anna Arov + Drs. Liesbeth Fit
16 oktober - Guest lecturer Dr. Nicoline Timmer +Drs. Liesbeth Fit
30 oktober - Guest lecturer Drs. Sander Uitdehaag + Drs. Liesbeth Fit
6 november- Guest lecturer Drs. Sander Uitdehaag + Drs. Liesbeth Fit
20 november - Drs. Liesbeth Fit
27 november - Drs. Liesbeth Fit
11 december - Evaluation: Prof. dr. J.C. Wesseling + Drs. Liesbeth Fit
Location: The Royal Academy of Art (KABK), Prinsessegracht 4, 2514 AN The Hague
Room no.: T.B.A.
Mode of instruction
Lecture
Workshop
Practice
Peer review
Feedback
Course Load
This course is worth 5 EC, which means the total course load equals 140 hours.
Seminars: 9 seminars of 2 hours (= 18 hours)
Literature, reading & practical work: 0.5 hours p/week (= 4 hours)
Assignments & portfolio: 118 hours
Assessment method
Course Evaluation
Seminar Assignments 90% (Every theme (four in total) is connected to one or more writing exercises, these texts will be rewritten. All texts together will form a portfolio that will be assessed).
Performance in Class 10% (Dialogue and performance in Class).
Competences
Shows initiative and originality in the handling of assignments
Gives expression to a distinctive (artistic/discursive) ambition or vision
Develops and explores (offered) techniques and theories
Demonstrates a critical and inquiring attitude toward the techniques and theories that are offered
Effectively organizes the process (e.g. meets deadlines and assignment requirements, presence in Class)
Engages in dialogue about one’s writing and that of others
Draws insights from discussions and implements feedback
Productively collaborates with fellow students
Seminar Assignments and EvaluationThe final mark for this Class is based on performance in class, weekly assignments and a portfolio.
After or during each Class students receive an assignment which they must hand in at least 3-7 days before the next Class.
The evaluation of the performance of each student in class considers: commitment, motivation and curiosity.
Absence
Students are allowed to be absent at 1 meeting at the most without further consequences. Being absent at more than 1 meeting implies that a student cannot pass.
Blackboard
Blackboard will not be used in this course.
Reading list
Janneke Wesseling - 'Why Write? On Writing as Art Practice.' Will be sent to the students.
Other possible literature will be announced in class and is different per lecturer.
Registration
To enroll, students must send a motivation letter.
In addition, for students of Leiden University, enrolment through uSis is mandatory.
Apply before Friday 6 September 2019 23:59 h (CET) by registering for this course in uSis.
To complete your application, you will be required to send a brief letter of motivation (max. 400 words, in PDF) to Lectoraat KTP The result of the selection will be announced on Thursday 12 September 2019 at the latest. Incomplete or late submissions will not be accepted.
For questions, please contact Lotte Betting, co-ordinator of the lectorate, at lectoraatktp@kabk.nl.
General information about uSis is available on the website
Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs
Registration Studeren à la carte
Registration Contractonderwijs
Contact
Dhr. ir. R.T.W.L. Schneemann Mw. drs. Liesbeth Fit
Remarks
This course will admit a maximum of 10 participants from Leiden University, and a maximum of 10 participants from the Royal Academy of Art, The Hague.
For other courses in the domains of music and fine arts, please visit:
Overview of elective courses in music and fine arts: ACPA courses 2018-2019
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")