Thursday, 16 November 2023, 8 pm, diffrakt | centre for theoretical periphery
Conversation with
Övül Durmuşoğlu | Imad Gebrayel | Cornelia Lund | Mara Recklies | Xiyu Tomorrow
Terms like “decolonial” and “decolonisation” seem omnipresent in the cultural field; decolonial programmes and initiatives are emerging, some of which even have structure-changing effects. At universities, however, the discourse is often avoided, and the attempt to work toward structural change often feels like banging one’s head against a proverbial brick wall. Depending on the programme, institute or university, there is a more or less intensive discussion of topics such as racism or decolonisation – or none at all. The crucial point that de- and postcolonial thinking and engagement cannot simply be negotiated as another methodological approach in a few courses, but that they entail necessary structural changes, is usually not negotiated and certainly not put into practice.
Bringing together researchers and teachers from the fields of design, art, and the humanities, this conversation seeks to contribute to broadening the discussion beyond the boundaries of the university. Taking as a starting point another conversation held and recently published in the context of the University of the Arts (HfK) Bremen, HfK decolonial. A Conversation about Teaching and Other Fields of Critical Engagement with Higher Education and Culture, we would like to ask: Can universities be decolonised? And if so, how? What kind of education would be adequate and desirable today? For whom, by whom, and how could the places look like where this takes place?
The event takes place in collaboration with fluctuating images and is funded by the Mach den Unterschied!-Fonds of Claussen-Simon-Stiftung.
