University Wide Art Studies steps into the spotlight with workshops, exhibitions, lectures and pizza

Multidisciplinarity can be something of a buzz word in education. The idea of it is frequently cited, but it’s difficult to spot in the wild. As stated by Chair of the University Wide Art Studies committee and Head of the Department of Art, Professor Kevin Tavin, “The truth is we know that multi- or transdiciplinarity is something that is easy to appreciate, but harder to model in the classroom. Students come to University inherently disciplined, which makes sense. We wanted our University Wide Art Studies to be something of a slow boil. Something students can opt in to at their own pace.” So, University Wide Arts (UWAS) courses are being built one-by-one; the first was last semester with Tavin’s Introduction to Visual Culture and Creative Ways of Seeing the World, and now quickly ramping up to courses including Design Theory, Audio Across Disciplines, and Crystal Flowers – a course that looks at the connections between mathematics and beauty. 

In coordination with the launch of this initiative and to make the conversation available campus-wide, representatives from across Aalto prepared their first ever U-Create Seminar taking place November 1st and 2nd at the newly opened Learning Center (Otaniementie 9, Espoo). Speakers include President Tuula Teeri, Vice President of Education Eero Eloranta, Provost Ilkka Niemelä, Vice President of Art and Creative Practices Anna Valtonen, Julie Marie Lemon from the University of Chicago, and Christopher Rose from Rhode Island School of Art and Design.

This two-day event stands to celebrate creativity, research, experimentation, art, teaching, and exhibitions, but the producers are promising this won’t just be a a traditional lackluster lecture series, Tavin expands, “creativity is this thing we often talk about as being valued or necessary beyond the arts, beyond the discipline.  But talk is cheap, so this forum will be a space for action with inspiring exhibitions, talks, and debates between students, visiting artists and scholars, lecturers, and faculty members.” He jokes, “Oh we’ll have free pizza too.” 

The full list of UWAS courses which are open and available to all students regardless of discipline is available online at uwas.aalto.fi and the full schedule for the U-Create Seminar can be found at uwas.aalto.fi/ucreate and you can register for the event at Eventbright