NUrope XIII, Kiev and Lviv: Interrupted Histories Continue

One of the local hosts of the Nomadic University: Les Kurbas Theatre Centre Thanks to the dedication of Curator Yulia Usova (Perfect Art Institution, Stockholm/London/Kiev), the Nomadic University will soon see its 13th oasis happen in Ukraine – and for anyone interested in the field of art, culture and economy in contemporary Eastern Europe, this [...]

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busy days; recognitions

Saturday, conducting a talk/dialogue at a seminar on spirituality in art (no, I wouldn’t lecture on that; but dialogue will show, unfailingly, how spiritual awareness is at hand); Monday, presenting “terrastella” drawings for the Pimeyden Kodat/Darkness project and Turku 2011 Foundation; Tuesday, preparing an exhibition at Vidarkliniken, Järna; and today, if the volcanoes let me [...]

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NUrope X:II

sketchbook pages; graphite pencil on paper, ca 30 x 20 cms each As the “China goes Europe” oasis proceeds, a number of European artists, curators, academics and business people share their views on China. Nomad and artist Stella Fajerson adequately asks for the complementary perspective, but the Chinese persons involved are mainly invited to give [...]

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NUrope X:I

During the presentations, I sit with my sketchbook open; making some quick drawings of people’s postures, hands, moves… as habitual. Afterwards, somebody approaches me and by gestures asks for the book. I lend it to him, and he turns the page to draw my portrait on it. Next day, the programme goes on with a [...]

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Theories, methods and practices III

And there are no limits to perception. “Every object, well-contemplated, creates an organ of perception in us.” (J W von Goethe, Scientific studies)

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Theories, methods and practices II

‘Method’ as a way of making out one’s direction between perceiving and conceiving… The first word to stand out here is ‘one’; because this is something to be carried out by one-self. Conception springs from perception, and perception is sensual experience; thus, personal. By this definition, ‘method’ does not apply to the use of intellectual [...]

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Theories, methods and practices I

“The common-sense understanding of the word ‘method’ may be something like: ‘a set-up of presumptions and techniques used systematically to arrive at a certain result’… A method, understood as a procedure or a process, should be something going on between theory and practice.” Let’s say, now, that ‘method’ is a way… a human act of [...]

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Quality and Research VI

“Is there a method to die?” How could this question make sense? For all we know, death will happen – method or no method. It’s the one condition shared by everybody alive, unconditionally. So, the essential word here would be ‘method’. The common-sense understanding of this word might be something like: ‘a set-up of presumptions [...]

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Quality and Research V

Second course seminar with professor Liora Bresler from the University of Illinois, USA, together with Swedish hosts Lars Lindström and Eva Österlind and some twenty Master and doctoral students. Akira Kurosawa’s movie Rashomon from 1949 provides us an experience, a common ground for discussions about truth on different levels. Most people, at least, agree there [...]

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Quality and Research IV

Text reading seminar at the course – Aesthetic-Based Qualitative Research – which I follow at Stockholm University (see also Archives/January 2009). Is there really a difference between art and research? I bring the question to the course. – Art appeals to feeling, is one answer I get. Oh, I’d love to have it that way… [...]

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