Department of Art History and Art Theory / Gender Studies / Curatorial Practice

The Department of Art History and Art Theory / Gender Studies / Curatorial Practice combines critical engagement with artistic positions and practices of the past and present with a specific theoretical orientation that aims to open up a space for transitions, interconnections, and reversals between theory and practice. Through intensive exchange between artistic and scientific approaches, questions arise about imagery and sovereignty in connection with artistic self-techniques, aesthetic regimes, and possible conceptions of the real, the symbolic, and the imaginary.

Current teaching and research projects deal with the border areas between art and science, with the theory and history of imagination, with topological operations in art and theory, with the politics and aesthetics of the pure and with practices of purification, with the history of body modeling, and with media in relation to magical and religious practices. Another focus is on collaboration with the VALIE EXPORT Center. Questions of gender and identity are central points of reference in this joint work. In addition, there is a course offering in the field of curatorial practices with guest professors who change annually and a research focus on curatorial work.

The department offers courses for students from all disciplines. Lectures, seminars, colloquia, projects, and excursions convey perspectives from art and cultural studies and transdisciplinary approaches, opening up levels of discourse on art and art theory, the art world, visual and material cultures, and body and image politics. The aim is to jointly develop argumentation skills in the conception, reception, and communication of art.

The subject of art history and art theory is part of the academic master's program in Media Culture and Art Theory at the Institute for Media, as well as the artistic-academic bachelor's program in Cultural Studies, the program in Art Education, and the diploma program in Applied Cultural Studies at the Institute for Fine Arts and Cultural Studies.