HEAD – Genève and the Istituto Svizzero di Roma are proud to announce their first Summer Academy, to be held at Villa Maraini, Rome, from 18 to 23 July 2016. The programme, based on the relationship between art and science, will focus on issues raised by recent developments in astronomy as well as on the ways in which contemporary artists explore and produce experiences related to the development of physics research into the cosmos. As a matter of fact, it was in Rome, almost one century ago, that German art historian Aby Warburg changed the focus of his iconological research or science of images to take into account the underlying hypothesis that the history of Renaissance art was based on cosmic thinking.

The HEAD ISR Summer Academy is open to MA Fine Arts students from all art schools in Switzerland, in particular HES-SO, who are currently studying or who graduated less than two years ago. Twelve students will be selected upon presentation of a draft project relating to the theme of the 2016 Summer Academy, a resume and a portfolio of practical and/or theoretical work (in French and English). All contributors and participants will receive room and board onsite at the Istituto Svizzero di Roma. The aim for all participants will be to outline a research draft and project plan that is at the crossroads of arts and sciences, in association with the guest faculty. An exhibition will later present the participants’ projects.

This pilot Summer Academy will take the form of an intensive think tank, linking together different timescales, team configurations and forms of transmission. Morning sessions will be held by a different guest every day and will focus on collective work. Afternoon sessions will focus on one-on-one meetings and individual work. Evenings will be dedicated to discussing and appraising the day’s activities, with screenings and additional talks by guest scientists. The programme is also meant to be an area of experimentation which is open to suggestions by participants. Finally, a concert will close the Summer Academy programme, with the Roman platform for contemporary artists Radio Arte Mobile being given carte blanche.

This year, the artistic direction of the programme has been entrusted to art historian and independent curator Lars Bang Larsen in association with Head of the Visual Arts Department at HEAD – Genève Yann Chateigné. Guest speakers include artists from HEAD – Genève Laurent Schmid and Mai-Thu Perret, two guest artists, Dave Hullfish Bailey and Marie Kølbæk Iversen, and two guest scientists, CERN physicist, Veronica Bindi and astronomer at the Geneva Observatory, Stéphane Udry.

Guests: 
Dave Hullfish Bailey, artist, Los Angeles 
Lars Bang Larsen, art historian, curator, Copenhagen/Sao Paolo
Veronica Bindi, physicist, CERN, Geneva/Hawaii 
Yann Chateigné, art historian, curator, Head of the Fine Arts Department at HEAD – Genève 
Marie Kølbæk Iversen, artist, Copenhagen 
Mai-Thu Perret, artist, professor at HEAD – Genève 
Laurent Schmid, artist, Head of the Work.Master programme, HEAD – Genève, Bern/Geneva 
Stéphane Udry, astronomer, Geneva Observatory 

Specifications: 
Deadline for the submission of applications: June 30th 2016 
Conditions for participation: students currently enrolled or having graduated less than two years ago from all art schools in Switzerland may apply. 
Portfolio: portfolio in PDF (maximum size: 10Mo), resume, draft project (length: 2 pages maximum), copy of student card or diploma. 
Languages: French / English 
Contribution towards travel and living costs: CHF 150

Applications should be sent to :
Haute école d'art et de design - Genève
Yann Chateigné, Head of Fine Arts Department 
Boulevard Helvétique 9
1205 Genève