University of Oxford & Berlin University of the Arts
Seed Funding for Creative Collaborations
For the past four years, projects funded by the universities have been taking place in Oxford and Berlin, offering exciting perspectives on the arts and sciences.
In 2024, a total of seven projects will be realised through the joint seed-funding programme of the Berlin University of the Arts (UdK Berlin) and the University of Oxford. Some of the results of the 2024 projects to date are presented here:
The project team of Prof. Josephine Pryde, Devin Kenny, and students is working on artificial intelligence, steganography, and new forms of image generation: 'Defensive Images: Considering and Re-considering AI, Large Language Models, and Conceptual Art.' A field trip to the exhibition 'Artificial Intelligence' by the artist Morag Keil at the Isabella Bortolozzi Gallery took place on May 31, 2024. In her work, as well as in that of artist Nancy Holt, the role of mediation and new media is very pronounced for their respective times.
Designer Maciej Chmara is working with Professor Charles Spence at the Institute of Experimental Psychology at the University of Oxford, a research collaboration into the multi-sensory perception of bread. The project explores the therapeutic potential of manual dough processing, focusing on the thousands of species of lactic acid bacteria and the many different yeast fungi.
In March 2023, a project between Federico Visi (performer and scientist) and Robert Laidlow (composer) took place at the University of Oxford, using everyday objects and everyday tasks for musical improvisation. The idea is to develop interactive sound vessels using machine learning and rapid prototyping techniques. The project is supported by Berit Greinke, Professor of Wearable Computing at the Berlin University of the Arts. Another workshop took place at the Berlin Open Lab. Federico's work with Robert Laidlow could also be seen in a performance at the Humboldt Forum on July 3.
As part of a first workshop on 18-19 March at Queen's College, University of Oxford, researchers and teachers, including Prof. Dr. Anthony Gardner (Ruskin School of Art, University of Oxford), Dr. Aurea Klarskov (visiting researcher at the UdK Berlin), Dr. Robert Kehl (UdK Berlin), Prof. Dr. Karen Leeder (University of Oxford), Prof. Dr. Stefan Neuner (UdK Berlin), Dr. Luke O'Sullivan (University of Oxford), Prof. Dr. Helen Small (University of Oxford), Prof. Dr. Dörte Schmidt (UdK Berlin), and Prof. Dr. Barbara Wittmann (UdK Berlin). The academics discussed the phenomenon of anachronism as a musical, visual, and literary strategy. On 18 and 19 October 2024, a conference will be held at the UdK Berlin to explore the theme in greater depth. The Institute for Art Studies and Aesthetics cordially invites you to attend.
A lecture by Prof. Ian Kiaer, Director of the Ruskin School of Art, and Sarah Jones, University of Oxford, furthermore took place on June 21, hosted by Prof. Monica Bonvicini. On the same day, students from the Faculty of Fine Arts and the Stage Design course at UdK Berlin, led by Prof. Janina Audick, discussed various concepts in the context of installation and performance art that take the materiality of writing as their starting point.
Concert in November
On 12 November, a concert by Prof. Gottlieb Wallisch will take place in the Jacqueline du Pré Hall in Oxford. He is working with the musicologist Prof. Christian Leitmeier from the University of Oxford on the biographies of migrant musicians who emigrated from National Socialist Berlin and Vienna to England.
The image shows the Oxford and Berlin teams signing a Memorandum of Understanding in January 2024
