New Earth questions sustainability paradigms like the circular economy and researches equitable development in the wake of climate change, looking towards design and cultural production as political acts. 

We have never been here before. This is uncharted territory. We have left the planet that gave rise to our kind. Behold the emerging geological age: restless, hot-tempered, volatile. There is no going back. This is our new home. How to housekeep this hostile planet? How do we become a new species fit for this New Earth? 

Students in New Earth will learn to become commoners: creative practitioners building upon and contributing to the commons, or shared value production processes. We will take your immediate context as the starting point for embedding your practice in bioregional territories. Our goal is to learn to contribute to fair, resilient and flourishing multispecies communities!  

In this minor, we learn to ground ourselves in geological and biological time. We start unlearning the colonial-capitalist cosmology that brought us to this place. We follow local wisdom for planetary stewardship. We sharpen our position in complex, ambiguous climate politics. We strive to practice ecological thinking in our everyday lives. 

New Earth is an interdisciplinary minor aiming to bring together perspectives of economy, culture, technology, sociology, nature and the environment. 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  

Changemakers, Commoners, Eco-social, Planetary Stewardship, Earth  

What we offer  

• Field trips 
• Guest lecturers 
• Immersive workshops introducing eco-social issues 
• Interdisciplinary and experimental modes of working 
• Peer-to-peer (P2P) and collective working processes 

What we expect 

This minor is looking for students who are engaged with environmental and sustainable issues and who aim to develop their creative competencies, knowledge and skills regarding the current transition towards a more resilient and equitable society. From students we expect an attitude that combines curiosity, courage, initiatorship and critical engagement. 

• You are able to reframe complex social issues, with the use of powers of imagination, creation and expression. You are able to make, test, improve and realize projects in interaction with a relevant context (real people, audiences, stakeholders) in such a way that the public gains a new perspective of its own world. 
• You are able to try, experiment and take risks. 
• You are able to collaborate with your peers, as well as other individuals, communities and cultures outside WdKA. You are able to bring together multiple stakeholders in accountable processes and build community in non-extractive, reciprocal ways. 
• You can visually, verbally and in writing; (a) analyse existing and projected systems, (b) document embedded research processes, (c) interact with relevant partners and (d) present outcomes to broader audiences, with professional manner and quality. 
• You can learn to have an open attitude in order to let new knowledge influence you and help your work to evolve in iterative processes. 
• You are able to define your own positioning and focus within the themes of New Earth.  

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 and comprised of 

• Writing component; in the form of an essay or other textual form. 
• 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.