Dates

15 August – 03 September 2022

Location

Zurich

Description

Hacking Global Pop Icons is a practice-based three-week summer school organized by ZHdK together with the University of the Arts London (UAL). It will explore the relationship between global pop cultures and local identities through examining the political, social, technological and historical dimensions of (mass) production and reception. A global pop icon will serve as the common starting point for cultural analysis and for the transdisciplinary production of new works seeking to deconstruct, remix and expand the influence of the chosen icon. The overarching theme for 2022 is “Real Fake ⁄ Fake Realness.” Participants from Europe and Asia will apply various research methods (ethnographic field research, pop culture theory, reception theory, discourse analysis) and co-create various formats in a collaborative setting.

This practice-based summer school will offer students a unique opportunity to experience new creative fields in transcultural collaborations and to learn about cultural concepts in global contexts, global mainstream and transcultural adaptation. In tandem with the 2022 Shared Campus-Global Pop Cultures-Festival in Zurich, participants will conduct practice-based research on “Real Fake ⁄ Fake Realness: (Re)Appropriation, Irony and Fandoms in Pop Cultures.” Collaboration will result in a final presentation in multiple artistic formats (e.g. fiction and documentary film, interactive media, performances, creative nonfiction, short stories, comics, podcasts, discourse analysis, spatial installations, art in public space, songs, music videos, etc.)

Learning Outcomes

  • Understand cultural concepts in global contexts.
  • Understand how global icons interact with and are shaped by digital monism.
  • Probe into and scrutinise what makes an icon real and or fake.
  • Engage in practice-based international and transdisciplinary creative collaboration.
  • Gain insights into media representation theory.
  • Build and practise presentation skills.
  • Develop creative writing skills

Modality

Face-to-face in Zurich

Applicants

The programme offers places to 25 students from the Shared Campus partner institutions from a wide range of arts and design disciplines, including the performing arts, film, music, fine arts, media arts, design, and art education.

Collaborating Partners

  • University of the Arts London (UAL)
  • Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK)
  • Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU)
  • Amsterdam University of the Arts (AHK)