[spectre] Fwd: Call: 2nd Vilém Flusser Summer School in Robion, May 2023

[Andreas Broeckmann]

Betreff: Newsletter // Vilém Flusser Archive // January 2023
Datum: Tue, 17 Jan 2023 22:03:57 +0100
Von: vfa-tutor at medienhaus.udk-berlin.de

Call:

2nd Vilém Flusser Summer School in Robion
May 8-12, 2023

Topic: Connected to the 103rd birthday of the internationally renowned 
media philosopher Vilém Flusser on May 12, 2023 the summer school is 
dedicated to Flusser`s contribution to media philosophy and media 
cultural history without orthodoxy in interpreting him. His reflections 
on the future of digital culture were prophetic and far ahead of his 
time. We will be examining the relevance of Flusser’s thought for our 
understanding of digital culture. Moreover we will raise questions such 
as: how can his positions be critically honored today? Which premises 
shaped his thought? Which forms and methods of critique can be developed 
in (thinking) media?

The summer school will take place in Robion (South of France) where 
Flusser last lived and wrote his most important works. The sessions will 
be taught in his former residence, in the spaces of the municipality and 
in an amphitheater where lectures, discussions, film viewings and 
presentations will be held in his honor.

Educational goals: The participants will learn the essential features of 
Vilém Flusser’s work in philosophy and media studies. They will become 
familiarized with the procedures and current problems of German media 
theory and media philosophy, particularly with regard to digital 
culture. The participants will conclude the summer school by presenting 
their own projects on the topic of the summer school combining theory 
and artistic practice.

Curriculum: The curriculum of the summer school follows the cardinal 
media treated by Flusser: the traditional image (the drawing), writing, 
and photography, which also point the way to the computerized technical 
image. As one of the pioneers of a philosophical approach to digital 
culture Flusser raises the question to what extent artists and 
philosophers can take part in it and reflect it critically and 
appropriately in their projects. This outlines five topics for the 
summer school that are to be discussed in theoretical reading seminars 
as well as in practical artistic exercises: drawing, writing, 
photography, digital culture and artistic projects. Since Flusser’s 
reflections on and with media occurred against the theoretical 
background of (German) philosophy, this will also be integrated into the 
course through readings and explications of its concepts. A grounded 
overview of the state of international Flusser research is also part of 
the curriculum.

Intended audience: The summer school is addressed to Masters and 
advanced Diplom students as well pre-docs from art schools and 
universities that teach media and cultural studies, media art, 
philosophy of media and technology, aesthetics, comparative literature 
or applied cultural studies, image theory, film and design.

Application: A cover letter explaining your motivations (1 page) in 
German or English is required along with a short CV (maximum 1 page) 
covering what you are studying and where and your current degree stage 
(BA, MA, pre-doc). Please send both together in one pdf-file by February 
28 2023 to the following addresses:

Richtmeyer at fh-potsdam.de, subject: Flusser summer school 23
CC to: baruch at flusser.club

Application deadline: February 28, 2023

Selection: Applicants will be selected based on the applications. For 
acceptance the level of formal qualification and a convincing 
motivational letter are necessary. Familiarity with the work of Vilém 
Flusser as well as German language will be seen as an advantage. A 
balanced relation between theoretical interests and practical 
competences will also be seen positively. Participants should be able to 
reflect on media with the methods of the humanities and also have an 
interest in reflecting practically about media with media.

Acceptance/rejection: The applications will be reviewed by the three 
organizers together. Only 18 people maximum can be accepted. At least 
half of the spots are available for international applicants. The 
results of the selection will be sent out per email on March 15. A first 
online meeting with further information will take place at the end of march.

Organizers: Dr. Katerina Krtilova (Zurich), Dr. Baruch Gottlieb 
(Berlin), Prof. Dr. Ulrich Richtmeyer (Potsdam) have been teaching and 
researching in media studies for many years at various art schools and 
universities. They position themselves in the spectrum proposed for the 
summer school between humanistic theory and artistic practice.

Funding: DAAD / Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst / German Academic 
Exchange Service

Organizational details:

Teaching including lectures, film presentations, exhibition, theoretical 
and practical work.
Number of participants: 15-18 people, 3 teachers and 4 guests.
Arrival on Sunday, May 7, departure on Saturday, May 13 2023.
Beginning of teaching on Monday, May 8, end of teaching on Friday, May 12.
Cost: The teaching events and framework program are free of charge for 
the selected participants.
Catering is offered for the time of the summer school free of charge.
Travel and boarding costs have to be covered by the participants 
themselves. We are able to help you in organizing boarding.

Publication:
Some results of the 1st Vilém Flusser Summer School in Robion 2022 can 
be studied in this book:

Flussera Robionica (ed.): Towards Technosophy, Potsdam (January) 2023 
(print and digital).

Website (under construction): www.flusser.club