For transformative theory and practice in the arts
Unlearning university means questioning one’s own institution. On what assumptions and traditions do we base our value judgements regarding what is important? What knowledge and perceptions are not present?
Unlearning is a concept from decolonial research and art. It encourages us to question skills and knowledge that seem self-evident. Unlearning does not mean forgetting or erasing something, but rather recognizing other skills and the knowledge of others – and it also means revising hegemonic knowledge and established practices. This can amount to confronting ignorance, unknowing and non-understanding.
Art academies are places where aesthetics are practiced. They are also places where aesthetic practices can challenge perceptions, experiences and power relations. Artistic practices open up the capacity for expression and action, especially for marginalized groups. Subjectivity and belonging are constantly renegotiated in the arts.
Unlearning University sees the UdK Berlin as a learning and unlearning art academy. The project takes the Critical Diversity Policy, which the UdK Berlin adopted this year, at its word. Participants from all faculties, existing initiatives and guests gather their experiences and concepts on the way to a UdK Berlin that is more critical of discrimination.
With Artist Training, Critical Costume, Eine Krise bekommen, Gather, Musica inaudita amongst others.
Next Events
7–8/12/23
Alliances – Students, Scholars and Artists at Risk
Art academies on the way to post-migrant society
UdK Berlin, Charlotte-Salomon-Saal (Room 101/102, Hardenbergstraße)
An event together with Artist Training Lab
In German and English spoken language
Please register: artisttraining-ziw@udk-berlin.de
8/12/23
Workshop: Overcoming Fear and Shame in White Spaces
with Vivian Ngozika Aghamelu
UdK Berlin, Medienhaus, Aula (Grunewaldstr. 2–5)
In German and English spoken language
3-6 p.m.
Overcoming Fear and Shame in White Spaces_Programm
11/12/23
Workshop: Kreatives und non-hierarchisches Lernen
with Gather
UdK Berlin, Medienhaus, Room 210 (Grunewaldstr. 2–5)
In German spoken language with English whisper translation
5-8 p.m.
Kreatives und non-hierarchisches Lernen_Programm
gather-berlin.de
7–10/2/2024
Unlearning University
Symposium
With Keith Brown, Claire Cunningham, Carolin Ferreira, Johannes Ismaiel-Wendt, Joy Kristin Kalu, Maika Kawabata, Dori Tunstall, Julia Wisssert and others
In German and English spoken language, German sign language
Team
Karina Griffith (co-project lead), Isabell Heiss, Johann Honnens, Christine Hoppe, Elena Meilicke, Miriam Oesterreich, Kathrin Peters (project lead), Mathilde ter Heijne, Melanie Waldheim
Student assistants: Mika Ebbing, Loran Celebi, Charlotte Riemann
Evaluation: Danja Erni, Simon Harder
Kampagne: Giada Armante, Barbara Kotte, Charlotte Riemann, Gosia Warrink, Yui Yamagishi
Others involved: Alejandra Nieves Camacho (diversity and antidiscrimination officer), Christian Schmidts (representative for students with disabilities and chronic illnesses)
Cooperation with Performances von [Weiblichkeit] in den darstellenden Künsten
Team meetings take place every second week (online), next meetings:
27/11/23, 5 p.m.; 11/12/23, 1 p.m.; 8/1/24, 5 p.m.; 22/1/24, 1 p.m.; 5/2/24, 5 p.m.
Please contact us.