Throughout the summer term we continue our work on rivers and transformation but with a view towards the future. We will delve into methods of speculative thinking and scenario development and apply them in research-based, transformative interventions along the Danube in Linz.

Your main task will be to develop imaginative propositions for regenerative practices that disrupt the hegemonic grip of tourism and industry and to engage with the adaptive and self-healing qualities of rivers as life sustaining, elemental force. As we contemplate possible futures we want to listen and learn from the river itself and explore how we can mobilize its unexpunged energies and potentials for unsolicited modes of encounter and cohabitation across social and natural divides.

The main question guiding our research is:  How can we (re)combine hydro/biological intelligence, with social and techno-scientific knowledge and expertise for rehearsing trans-species collaborations and solidarities in riverine worlds? 

You will work in groups (max 3). Topical and methodological support will be provided by scientific inputs, field visits, case studies and practical exercises in speculative scenario thinking with the artistic research collective Times Up and Herwig Turk, senior artists at the school. (Workshop). 

PROJECT REQUIREMENTS

• Scenarios must be grounded in scientific knowledge / research (ArtxScience Collaboration)
• Should involve human and non-human agencies
• Need to build on existing concepts or develop new ones based on observed or invented patterns or behaviors 
• Final project can be a documentary fiction (futures or pasts), an event or ritual, an open laboratory, or some other performative intervention that engages with the multiplicity of material flows and metabolic relations in riverine worlds.

Projects will be developed to Prototype stage with corresponding Concept Notes.

Your performance will be graded on the basis of your participation in all activities and peer-review sessions and the final project (Prototype & Concept Note).

Attending at least  80% of all activities is mandatory for receiving a course grade.

This course is part of the BA Program in Transformation Studies Art x Science. Students need to have passed Startweeks WS 2023 to join. The workshop in creative scenario development is open to a limited number of participants from other programs (max 5).