Course detail

Introduction to Intermedia Practice 2

FaVU-1UdIT2Acad. 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.

Entry knowledge

Introduction to Intermedia Practice 1  

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
Bridle, James, Temné zítřky: Technologie a konec budoucnosti, Brno: Host, 2020.
Císař, Karel, Co je to fotografie?, Praha: Hermann & synové, 2004.

Recommended reading

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, What If?: Twenty-Two Scenarios in Search of Images. University of Minnesota Press, 2022.
Flusser, Vilém, Za filosofií fotografie, Praha: Fra 2013.
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.
Kholeif, Omar, Goodbye World! Looking at the Art in the Digital Age, Berlin: Sternberg Press 2019.
Kittler, Friedrich, Gramofon. Film. Typewriter, Praha: Karolinum 2017.

Classification of course in study plans

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

Type of course unit

 

Seminar

26 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

1. Opening discussion: setting the course programme in relation to the winter semester  

2. Photography as contemporary art: theory, history and present 

3. Photography as contemporary art: practical exercises 

4. Audiovisuality: moving image and sound in contemporary art: theory, history and present 

5. Audiovisuality: moving image and sound in contemporary art: a practical exercise 

6. New Media and Art in the Internet Environment: Theory, History and Contemporary 

7. New Media and Art in the Internet Environment: Practical Exercise 

8. Excursion, trip, etc. 

9. Interdisciplinarity and artistic research: theory, history and present 

10. Interdisciplinarity and artistic research: practical exercises 

11. Current topics and issues: theoretical overview 

12. Current topics and issues: practical exercises 

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