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Course detail

Introduction to Intermedia Practice 1

FaVU-1UdITAcad. year: 2024/2025

The course is intended to provide a foundation for theoretical and practical orientation in a wide range of intermedia approaches in contemporary art. It relates to studio practice falling under the broad concept of intermedia production and is intended for first-year students who wish to orient themselves in ways of teaching approaches that transcend the traditional academic division of types and genres of visual art. It is intended to provide students with a basic definition of intermediality, its historical background, theoretical assumptions and institutional framework. An introduction to the subject of media in modern and contemporary art (moving from the specificity of the medium to inter-, post- and trans-mediality, understanding the concepts of new media, classical media, digital media, etc. ) will be followed by insights into sub-areas, directions and traditions of contemporary art covered by the concept of intermediality: performance, happening and body art, conceptual and post-conceptual approaches, new media, video art, the use of photography in the context of contemporary art, environment and installation, site specificity, participatory art, internet and digital art, curating, artistic research, etc.  

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

2

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

doc. Mgr. Václav Magid

Department

Faculty of Fine Arts (FaVU)

Entry knowledge

None.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

The following conditions are set for the award of credit: 

- attendance and active participation in class (75 %)  

- submission of all practical assignments given during the semester 

 
The teaching takes place in the studios and classrooms of the FaVU BUT in the hours determined by the timetable, or in workshop form in an alternative environment according to the current needs. Attendance at the teaching is compulsory (3 absences allowed). Higher number of absences can be compensated by submitting an alternative assignment after agreement with the lecturers.  

Aims

The aim of the course is to introduce students to the subject of intermedia work. Students should gain a basic understanding of the terminology, history and current practice of intermedia approaches in contemporary art and, through exercises, practice some of the wide range of genres, materials and strategies offered by this branch of art.  
Students should gain a basic orientation in the wide range of approaches to intermedia production in order to choose an individual focus to develop during their further studies. Upon completion of the course, they should be familiar with the terminology, theoretical foundations, historical assumptions and current state of artistic approaches covered by the general category of intermediality.  

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

​​​Bendová, Helena, Strnad, Matěj (eds.), Společenské vědy a audiovize, Praha: NAMU, 2014.
Berger, John, O pohledu, Praha: Fra 2009
Císař, Karel, Co je to fotografie?, Praha: Hermann & synové, 2004.

Recommended reading

Bridle, James, Temné zítřky: Technologie a konec budoucnosti, Brno: Host, 2020.
Braidotti, Rosi & Hlavajová, Maria & Thompson, Liza, Posthuman Glossary (Theory in the New Humanities), Bloomsbury Academic 2018.
Dvořák, Tomáš (ed.), Epistemologie nových médií, Praha: AMU 2019.
Flusser, Vilém, Za filosofií fotografie, Praha: Fra 2013.
Flusser, Vilém, What If?: Twenty-Two Scenarios in Search of Images. University of Minnesota Press, 2022.
Grusin, Richard and Bolter, Jay David, Remediation: Understanding New Media. Cambridge, Mass: MIT Press 1999.
Houwen, Janna, Film and Video Intermediality. New York: Bloomsburry, 2018.
Kittler, Friedrich, Gramofon. Film. Typewriter, Praha: Karolinum 2017.
Kholeif, Omar, Goodbye World! Looking at the Art in the Digital Age, Berlin: Sternberg Press 2019.

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme VUM_B Bachelor's, 1. year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
    , 1. year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
    , 1. year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
    , 1. year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
    , 1. year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
    , 1. year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
    , 1. year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
    , 1. year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
    , 1. year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
    , 1. year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
    , 1. year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional
    , 1. year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional

Type of course unit

 

Seminar

26 hours, compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. Mgr. Václav Magid

Syllabus

1. Opening discussion: introduction to the subject, setting the agenda  

2. Theoretical introduction – panel of teachers: what is intermedia art and how can it be taught? 

3. Theoretical introduction – panel discussion: what is intermedia art and how can it be taught? 

4. Conceptual and post-conceptual approaches: theory, history and present 

5. Conceptual and post-conceptual approaches: practical exercises 

6. Performance, happening and body art: theory, history and contemporary 

7. Performance, happening and body art: practical exercises 

8. Excursion, trip, etc. 

9. Working with space – environment, installation, site specificity: theory, history and present 

10. Working with space – environment, installation, site specificity: practical exercises 

11. Collective creativity and working with community: theory, history and present 

12. Collective creativity and working with community: a practical exercise 

13. Final discussion: evaluation of the semester's work, questions, suggestions