In the study of painting at the Muthesius Academy of Art, students are introduced to various methods of creating images through discussions, seminars, and practical instruction.
Images can represent or depict the world; they can relate to other images; they can be political; they can invoke a surreal or metaphysical world. Images can proclaim ultimate truths or rebel against any asserted truth. They can tell us something about our own perception, about the society we live in, or about the cosmos.
Their materiality also plays a major role – in the question of the possibilities and limits of the image, and in the practice of image-making. Painting can deal with the oldest materials with which humans have symbolically communicated – or with the very newest. Pictures can be created by a brush and paint on canvas, paper, or other image media, by printing processes, or even on the computer. Images can also be photographs or moving images; and they can even reside only in the mind.
In the course of study, the student’s own artistic possibilities are tested and developed. The exchange with the teachers and the other students makes it clear that painting emerges in the conversation of past as well as present images with each other and with the world.
In group discussions, students learn to present and formulate their own work. Talking with others allows for constructive criticism and a fresh look at what they have created. Individual discussions with the professor are designed to help students see their own questions more clearly and to give them further guidance.
Practical courses introduce students to the basics of painting techniques, photography, photo collage, performance, and more. In our painting workroom, traditional techniques of oil painting, tempera, and others are taught on a variety of media by an adjunct instructor. Painting students can also gain practical knowledge in all other workshops of the university, such as the workshop for artistic printing techniques, the media workshop and the workshop for photography.
In accompanying seminars, we deal with a thematic focus each semester, for which we invite lecturers and teachers, go on trips, hold workshops, develop exhibitions and prepare publications in cooperation with the Room for Publication. The Muthesius Academy of Fine Arts offers many opportunities for collaboration with other departments or cooperations with other universities.
The class of painting trains artists and art teachers. Art is an important part of our society and its culture, in which they will participate with their art and art education. Therefore, we want to open the view to diverse forms of culture. We want to test possibilities, to strengthen the students in their respective uniqueness and to help them on their way into art.
Questions?
Prof.in Antje Majewski
T 0431 / 5198 – 460
E a.majewski@muthesius.de
