[Commlist] Vilém Flusser Summer School in Robion

*Vilém Flusser Summer School in Robion / May 8-14, 2022*

The Flusser Summer School was initiated as part of our planned 
celebrations for the 100th birthday of the internationally renowned 
media philosopher Vilém Flusser on May 12, 2020. This plan needed to be 
moved online, but this year in 2022 it will take finally place as 
originally planned in Robion (South of France) where he last lived and 
wrote his most important works. The sessions will be taught at Flusser’s 
former residence, in the spaces of the municipality and in a small 
ancient amphitheater, where lectures, discussions, film viewings and 
presentations will be held in his honor.

The summer school aims to irreverently acknowledge the significance of 
Vilém Flusser’s work for the development of media philosophy and media 
culture history. His reflections on the future of digital culture were 
prophetic and far ahead of his time. On the occasion of his 102nd 
birthday, we will explore the relevance of Flusser’s thinking to our 
understanding of digital culture. The summer school program will 
interface with a small festival and symposium culminating on his 
birthday on May 12th.
We will raise questions such as: How can his positions be critically 
understood today? What premises shaped his thinking? And in which form 
and medium can critical thinking about and with media be expressed?

*educational goals*
Participants will learn the main features of Vilém Flusser’s work in 
philosophy and media studies. They will become familiar 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 developing and 
presenting their own projects on the topic of the summer school 
combining theory and artistic practice.

*curriculum*
The summer school curriculum follows the cardinal media Flusser 
addressed: the traditional image (drawing), writing, and photography, 
which also point the way to the computerized technical image. Flusser’s 
future theme was also digital culture and the question of to what extent 
artists and philosophers can critically and appropriately take part in 
it with their own projects. This outlines five topics for the summer 
school, which 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 
concepts. A grounded overview of the state of international Flusser 
research is also part of the curriculum.

*graduate students**
*The summer school is aimed at Master’s and advanced Diploma students as 
well as doctorate students from art schools and universities which 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 and 
where you are studying and your current degree stage (BA, MA, pre-doc). 
Please send both together in one pdf file by March 6, 2022, to the 
following address: (Richtmeyer /at/ fh-potsdam.de), subject: Flusser Summer School

*application deadline: March 6, 2022*

*selection*
Applicants will be selected based on the applications. Acceptance 
requires the formal qualifications and a convincing motivational letter. 
Familiarity with the work of Vilém Flusser as well as the German 
language are considered an advantage. A balance between theoretical 
interests and practical skills will also be considered positively. 
Participants should be able to reflect on media with methods from the 
humanities and also have an interest in reflecting practically on media 
with media.

*notification*
Applications will be reviewed by the three organizers together. Only 18 
people maximum can be accepted. At least half of the spots are for 
international applicants. Selection results will be sent out by email on 
March 15.

*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 will be conducted in English and includes lectures, film 
presentations, excursions, theoretical and practical work.
Number of participants: 15-18 people, 5 teachers as well as guests.
Arrival on Sunday, May 8, departure on Saturday, May 14, 2022.
Beginning of teaching on Monday, May 9, end of teaching on Friday, May 13.

*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. Costs for excursions and associated fees are also 
covered.
Travel to and from Robion and accommodation must be paid by the 
participants themselves.
We can provide assistance in reserving appropriate accommodation.

*website*
https://flusser.club/flusser-summer-school/

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