In Powerplay we work on formulating counter-narratives: stories that subdue and deconstruct assumptions, stereotypes, one-sided histories and beliefs. Counter-narratives are used here as a way of acknowledging, making space for, and listening to those whose stories are marginalised and silenced, while also finding new arrangements where they could be heard, seen, felt, and made sense of.  

Powerplay starts with the ambition to articulate where and how power relations function within all facets of society, ranging from the micro (e.g., friendship, family, bodies) to the macro (institutions, bodies of knowledge, geopolitics). This minor aims to reveal and re-imagine the power structures that govern our human, non-human, digital, and territorial bodies. In doing so, we attempt to articulate in subtle and strategic forms our own entanglement with power to decentralise, redistribute, and destabilise the power(s) at play.  

Throughout this minor, we actively examine, discuss, and reflect on our positionality in order to gain a better understanding of the contexts in which dominant strategies emerge and circulate. We do so by critically reflecting on how our vision, voice, and subjective points of view are shaped. By equipping ourselves with experimental storytelling, narrative strategies, and modes of writing, we aim to envision, (re)imagine, and create counter-narratives where dissonant voices are heard and disregarded knowledge systems are re-acknowledged and re-activated.  

During this minor you will formulate your own goals and assignments, and develop your own working methods, using relevant theories and analytical tools. The result can be an art or design object, publication (such as artists’ books), interdisciplinary installation, performance, exhibition or other type of project. 

Format 

This program is conducted in real life (IRL) with a limited number of online sessions determined by the teaching team.  

KEYWORDS 

Power Structures, Human Behaviour, Representation, Social Systems, Narratives, Future  

What we offer 

• Field trips 
• Guest Lecturers 
• Seminars and workshops 
• Interdisciplinary and experimental modes of working. 

What we expect 

This minor is looking for students who engage and position themselves critically within the course discussion, literature and artistic processes of and around power structures, counter-narratives, and social systems. 

We expect students to participate in the processes of questioning and challenging dominant narratives, regimes of production and reproduction in society. 

1. You are able to work independently on creating a self-developed project that challenges and disrupts a dominant narrative by investigating norms, structures, and representations of power within a self-chosen context. 
2. You are able to demonstrate critical theoretical skills to understand, analyse, and position yourself in relation to a chosen dominant narrative. 
3. You are able to build an archive on the dominant narrative of your choice, and conduct archival research by means of analysis, argumentation, critical writing, decolonial listening, reciprocity, and experimenting with narrative techniques. 
4. You are able to collaborate on a public event or co-organise the final collective exhibition that makes your research public to an audience. 
5. You are able to document your process and reflect on your development by maintaining a well-structured digital journal / webpage. 

This minor is open to WdKA students. Students from other institutes are required to send a portfolio and motivation. You will receive more information about this after you have registered for this minor. We advise students from other institutes to register at least one month before the deadline. The admission procedure takes at least two weeks. In case you are not accepted into the minor, you might need some time to register for another minor.

Deliverables 

The assignments are research-based including: 

• Writing component; in the form of a thesis, essay or piece of text. 
• Artistic component; in the form of an interdisciplinary artistic project. 

Public presentations in the environment of WdKA can be part of the outcome in the artistic projects developed in this course.