Meaningful Artistic Research: collaboration UvH and HKU
The University of Humanistic Studies and the HKU University of the Arts Utrecht are joining forces, in the field of art and science. Their collaboration is known as Meaningful Artistic Research (MAR): meaningful artistic research as the connecting factor.
Meaningful Artistic Research
Meaningful Artistic Research (MAR) perpetuates a sustainable collaboration between the HKU University of the Arts Utrecht (HKU) and the University of Humanistic Studies (UvH) in the field of art and science. The collaboration makes it possible to obtain a PhD in artistic research within the Graduate School of the UvH. In addition, MAR engages in educational innovation, fundraising, publications, and organizing meetings and conferences. Our goal is to share knowledge and creativity and grow into a broad and lively platform for researchers, scholars, artists, designers, curators, makers, students, teachers, tutors and interested parties in the field.
The core of MAR is conducting artistic research, based on the realization that art generates unique forms of knowledge that are important for a meaningful, humane society. We want to create and interpret meaningful experiences, in a society and time where caring for each other and the world around us is becoming increasingly urgent.
Within MAR we explore questions such as: What is knowledge and how is knowledge generated, through making and researching? What does the encounter between art and humanism bring to our understanding of humanity? How does this encounter contribute to a dignified and meaningful relationship with each other and with the world around us?
Research Perspectives
Research at HKU focuses on creative making processes. There is room for experimentation, for practice-based and empirical methodologies, and for a way of working in which the researchers themselves, as makers, are part of the research. HKU's bright spots are leading: care and well-being, identity and inclusion, circularity and sustainability. At UvH, research focuses on urgent and topical questions in our society. The overarching themes are humanism, meaningful living, and a just and caring society. Philosophical, social science and humanities approaches are combined here.
MAR brings together both perspectives. The research in, into, and through creative making processes stimulates new ways of thinking about norms and values in society. At the same time, diverse research approaches provide depth and context to artistic practices and vice versa.
News
12 April 2024: First meeting Morning with MAR
4 April 2024: HKU and UvH sail together during Utrecht Pride
5 June 2023: HKU and University of Humanistic Studies sign covenant for artistic research
PhD tracks
The collaboration provides the opportunity to conduct a doctoral program with artistic research. The creative process is recognized as a valid research method, and the artistic making counts in the assessment. Thus, artistic practice does not serve as an illustration, but is an integral part of the research trajectory. Several doctoral programs are currently underway.
Marloeke van der Vlugt is researching the importance of the sense of touch. Her doctoral research on touchability in and through art begins with her own artistic practice, in which she searches for a tactile creation process with sculptural, unpredictable materials and techniques. She then shares the resulting artifacts, such as the polyurethane spheres with their mysterious contents of naturally colored plaster, with audiences in interactive performances. At a time when touch is associated with risk and taboo, Marloeke looks for ways to activate tactile sensations.
Simona Kicurovska explores how digital automation technologies, such as algorithms and AI, are transforming the field of graphic design. She questions what designers can do and what cannot be programmed into digital design systems. Her research focuses on "designer ways of knowing" that contribute to socially responsible engagement in times of automated, algorithmic design.
Marielle Schuurman researches Co-creative Artistic Research Ecologies, which are part of the Creating Cultures of Care program. In CARE labs, artists and designers work together with residents, clients, professionals, policy makers, students and researchers, regarding questions such as “what does it mean to live with dementia?” or “what can music mean for nurses, patients and their loved ones, after major surgery?" These artistic practices concern a lot, not only on an individual level, but also in their relationships, for everyone involved. How do new concepts and practices of care and art emerge here?
Keeping up to date with MAR?
People involved
- HKU: Nirav Christophe, Judith Leest, Walter van Andel, Veerle Spronck, Marloeke van der Vlugt, Esther Willemse, Simona Kicurovska, Mariëlle Schuurman.
- UvH: Merel Visse, Louis van den Hengel, Robbert Hoogstraat, Femke Keeren
Project coordination
- Marieke Folkers, marieke.folkers@hku.nl
More information?
Please contact Merel Visse, m.visse@uvh.nl.
The University for Humanistics and the HKU University of the Arts Utrecht are joining forces, in the field of art and science. Their collaboration is known as Meaningful Artistic Research (MAR): meaningful artistic research as the connecting factor.