Admission requirements
Only for studens of the Master in Film and Photographic Studies. A maximum number of 12-15 students can be admitted to this elective. A selection procedure, in which a critical visual understanding of photography is tested, may apply.
Description
ECTP is focusing on the contemporary practice of editors, curators and imagemakers involved in creating documentary projects for multiple platforms.
The course starts with a full workshop week (a) during which material around a social theme will be generated individually and subsequently be put into a narrative structure (book, installation, web) in groups of 2-3 students.
During ‘Meet the photographers’ (b) students will be confronted with the work of contemporary photographers with a documentary background. What does their practice look like: how do they work, what are their objectives, what type of output do they generate and for whom, what are their expectations of the platforms their work can be presented on: press, independent book productions, exhibitions, audiovisuals, the web?
‘Meet the curators’ © starts with a visit to a festival or museum. Main points of interest: the choices made by this particular institution regarding the functions of the museum (conservation, presentation, education, research). The programme will particularly focus on the museum’s policy as far as exhibitions are concerned. Students are confronted with the curator’s responsibility of getting involved with the work of imagemakers. In what ways can a curator interfere with the work of an artist, what are the boundaries of this engagement.
‘Meet the designers’ (d) provides insight into the role of designers with regard to curatorial practice. When to consult/involve a designer in a project, how to brief a graphic/exhibition/interactive media expert? What to expect, how to collaborate, who is responsible for what? (editing, narrative structure, information provided, contextualization, etc)
‘Meet the funders’ (e) represents the final stage of the programme: developing a project that will have to be able to function independently as well as (partly) integrated on multiple platforms (book next to exhibition next to web, etc). The proposal, requires writing an brochure describing concept, audience, budget with coverage as well as sketching/developing visual models for its components. This part starts with (further) discussing the role of the curator and/or curator, aspects of fundraising for the non-profit sector, budgeting, collaboration models, etc.
Course objectives
Acquiring insight into:
the current practice of museum curators, exhibition makers, and/or producers (concept development, financial support, fundraising, collaboration with creative and institutional partners);
the functioning of the interconnected presentation platforms relevant for this practice: exhibitions, internet, print (books, catalogues), film, tablet media (iPad), augmented reality and educational programmes. Students will be able to develop content for, budget and approach funders for a coherent presentation that utilises multiple platforms.
Timetable
The timetable will be available by June 1st on the website
Mode of instruction
ECTP is taught in a mixture of a workshop, seminars and practicum.
Course Load
Part I (a, b, c, d): workshop 40 hours, ca 10 group meetings/presentations @ 5 hours each = 50 hours, preparing for 10 meetings (incl literature) of 5 hours = 50 hours. Total of 140 hours for Part I.
Part II (e): 4-5 meetings (incl exam) of 5 hours = 25 hours. Research and development of multiplatform project = 115 hours. Total of 140 hours for Part II.
Assessment method
The evaluation is based on 4-5 smaller assignments (1 for workshop + 3-4 single platform papers/presentations) together (50%).
Final project is a multiplatform project proposal based on the funding requirements of the Mondriaan Fund. The proposal, requires writing a brochure describing concept, audience, budget with coverage as well as sketching/developing visual models for its components.
All presentations have to be presented orally, based on written form (PDF, PPT), completed by a and/or physical or electronic object (book, website) or (representation of an) installation.
Collective assignments can be graded with pass/fail (with grades as reference), individual assignments will always be graded.
In the case of a fail you are entitled to rewrite your assignments or deliver a new assigment.
Blackboard
Blackboard will be used to provide students with an overview of current affairs, as well as specific information about (components of) the course.
Reading list
Mary Anne Staniszewski, The power of display. A history of exhibition installations at the Museum of Modern Art, Cambridge: MIT Press, 1998. (Chapters 1, 2 & 4).
Literature will be made available online.
Bas Vroege, The future of photography – the future looks bright / the future looks cumbersome, in: Roberta Valtorta (ed.), È contemporanea la fotografia? Milan: Museo di Fotografia Contemporanea, 2004.
Recommended reading
Henk van Os, Slechts drie maanden de Nachtwacht. De hamster, de exhibitionist, de demonstrator, de smaakbevestiger en de vertoner: een typologie van de makers van tentoonstellingen voor musea, in: De Groene Amsterdammer, November 26, 2004 (in Dutch ONLY).
Martin Parr & Gerry Badger, The Photo Book. A History (Volume 1). London: Phaidon Press, 2004.
Christopher Phillips, The Judgement Seat of Photography, October 22, Autumn 1982, pp. 27-63
Roland Barthes, The Great Family Of Man, in: Mythologies, 1957
Recommended media
George Legrady, An Anecdoted Archive of the Cold War. San Francisco: HyperReal Media Productions, 1994. (CD-ROM)
Pedro Meyer, I Photograph to Remember. Santa Monica: Voyager, 1991. (CD-ROM)
Ad van Denderen & Boris Gerrets, Go No Go. Edam: Paradox, 2003. (DVD, book, website)
Andy Cameron [et al.], AntiRom. Westminster: University of Westminster 1994. (CD-ROM)
Firestorm. London: The Guardian, 2013. See http://www.theguardian.com/world/interactive/2013/may/26/firestorm-bushfire-dunalley-holmes-family. (web documentary)
The Last Days of Shishmaref. Edam: Paradox, 2008. Design by Antenna-men, Rotterdam. See http://www.thelastdaysofshishmaref.com/shishbook/shishbook_release-1.1.11/MainView.html. (web documentary)
Registration
Enrollment through uSis is mandatory. If you have any questions, please contact the departmental office, tel. 071 5272144 or mail: ma-mediastudies@hum.leidenuniv.nl: ma-mediastudies@hum.leidenuniv.nl.
Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs
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Contact details
Media Studies student administration, P.N. van Eyckhof 3, room 1.01b. Tel. 071 5272144; ma-mediastudies@hum.leidenuniv.nl.
Coordinator of studies: Ms S.J. de Kok, MA, P.N. van Eyckhof 3, room 1.01b.