In this course, artist and composer Merlijn Twaalfhoven will show students how each of us can activate an artist mindset, strengthening a sharp perception, dedicated attention, beauty, space for feelings and emotion, imagination and play. These principles create new ways that help us navigate and connect in times of change. Twaalfhoven believes that through imagination, we create future scenarios. Through attention, we connect with what’s valuable. Through play, we find ways to experience and to embrace the unknown. And through beauty, we connect to others and the world around us.

How do we shape the future? It starts with asking the most profound question: what is a good world? Can we see, hear and feel an answer to such a big question?

Even more important is the next step: can we turn a vision of a good world into a guiding principle, a compass that can direct us through the current times of chaos and uncertainty? 

The course will bring art and philosophy together and offers several creative exercises and assignments designed to teach students how our complex contemporary social and political questions – climate change, social inequality, segregation and polarization – can be translated and re-imagined as tangible and human, focusing on relational narratives rooted in our everyday environments and experiences. By creatively re-imagining these large-scale problems, students are both given ways to engage with and think about these issues critically and actively, but are also given practical ways to shape their own reflections, analyses, solutions and answers to these contemporary questions and problems. This process results in a clear picture of one’s own role as an active participant in the transformation of society.

Timetable

All lectures will take place on-campus and we assume you can be physically present during the scheduled hours. You can find the timetable on Datanose.

Registration

Registration is possible for second or higher year students participating in an Honours programme. The registration for the Honours courses will start on December 1, 10 am -  December 5, 11 pm, You can register through the online registration form that will appear on Honoursmodules IIS. (registration is NOT through SIS or GLASS).

Please note: There is no guarantee no guarantee for placement if you register after 5 December, so make sure you register on time. You will hear which course(s) you are registered for before 20 december. For questions about registration, please contact us at Honours-iis@uva.nl.

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