06.10.2014, Berlin | The third and final session of the “On Research” workshop series at the Haus der Kulturen der Welt (HKW) in Berlin, on October 18-19, 2014, focuses on curatorial research as well as the cognitive and translation processes in the context of the curatorial-dramaturgical exploration of the “Anthropocene” hypothesis. The internationally oriented workshop centers on thematic, methodological and structural issues of curatorial practice, from defining themes and research methods to developing formats to working collaboratively across formats such as discourse, performance and exhibition.

The starting point is the HKW’s 2013-14 “Anthropocene Project,” whose particular challenge consists in developing, together with individual and institutional partners in art, science and society, a multi-year cultural project, which aims to examine the cultural, political, and social implications of a yet unconfirmed geological hypothesis from a variety of perspectives.

Based on recent studies of the curatorial self-image, the workshop deals with the role of the curator as a meta-moderator and communicator of complex findings in increasingly diverse forms of knowledge production. The focus is on the curatorial “language” in art and science and new formats that may yet have to be developed.

The two-day workshop will kick off with discursive and visual contributions as well as insights into the work of the curators of the “Anthropocene Project,” Anselm Franke, Katrin Klingan, and Silvia Fehrmann, which will be presented to the participating 15 curators plus younger professionals from Germany and abroad.

Erle C. Ellis, professor of geography and director of the Laboratory for Anthropogenic Landscape Ecology at the University of Maryland, as well as member of the “Anthropocence Research Group” at HKW will talk about the challenges and opportunities of the cooperation between curators and scientists.

The curator and head of the Art Institute of the FHNW Academy of Arts and Design in Basel, Chus Martínez, will introduce the second workshop day with a short presentation on the relationship between curatorial language and the knowledge production of the future. The workshop participants will then have an opportunity to ask and discuss questions, which have been collected and communicated prior to the workshop, with the participating experts. In addition to issues related to curatorial language, the discussion will also focus on positions and possibilities of knowledge communication.

The On Research series (2012-2014) is an initiative developed by the Haus der Kulturen der Welt and the Schering Stiftung. Participation is by invitation only.