When we hear the word extraterrestrial, we often think of aliens, visitors from another planet, another galaxy, another world. But as humans explore deeper into the vastness of space the question arises, are we not, to some extent, also extraterrestrial? Thinking about ourselves as extraterrestrial beings dissolves the false separation between Earth and outer space…

In the workshop “Frogs and Clowns: An Object Orientation of Protest Today”, Anneke Jansen (Theatre Programming, SPOT Groningen) and Iris van der Tuin (Utrecht University) introduced ‘object orientation’ as a collaborative method that initiates interdisciplinary conversations. By using an object as a starting point, researchers collectively reflect on what kinds of perspectives arise from their…

  What is a clown nose? Is it a nose or, rather, something that conceals your nose? Does this concealment make you a clown? My second coffee of the day has just kicked in, and I am ready to “unpack” the small spongy sphere in front of me. Soon enough, I am reminded of Dumit’s…

What do you think of when I mention a frog? A slimy green creature? A silly-looking jumping creature? A cute little dude on a leaf? Unless frogs are particularly scary to you, the idea of someone in an inflatable frog costume would probably be a mood-lifting sight, a welcome bit of silliness added to your…

  In the seminar, “Science as an adventure”, Simon Gusman explored how adventure serves as a powerful trope that frames various aspects of human experience. Adventure is everywhere—found in advertisements, games, recruitment materials, and even the way we narrate our personal lives. This idea intrigued me, particularly in relation to the metaphor of the cave…

As someone studying artistic research – what it is, how it operates, to what ends – I often find myself curious about the invisible line that seems to have been drawn between artistic research and activism. To what extent can a practice that is developed with the intention of disrupting ideas, processes or systems, one…

  Understanding the social happenings as co-emergent, rather than embodying a linear causality, is crucial to form productive and generative practices in a world where epistemological foundations and material basis are constantly shifting. Chris Julien started his lecture by bringing in the way in which productive and potentially revolutionary practices can be situated in the…

“Commissioning responds to a need and hinges on the presumption that the commissioned artwork can satisfy this need.” (Sørensen, TiM Lecture 21 Feb 2024) Trine Friis Sørensen’s lecture “Inquiring & Caring with the Act of Commissioning” centered around how commissioning can be debunked as a caring and inquiring process. Thus, the result of creation should…

  In a thought-provoking seminar led by Trine Friis Sørensen, the nuanced role of the curator within contemporary art and archival practices was explored, shedding light on the evolving responsibilities that extend far beyond traditional collection management. Sørensen’s insights, drawn from her own rich experience, position the curator not just as a guardian of art…

  On December 13, 2023, I attended the workshop “How to Know Things with Works: On Practical Enquiry” as part of Transmission in Motion’s seminar series “Matters of Concern” at Utrecht University. The event featured Mick Wilson, a distinguished professor of art and director of doctoral studies at HDK – Valand Academy of Art and…