Unlearning the Encyclopaedia of Media

Valerie Messini
Institute of Fine Arts and Media Art, Media Theory
2026W, Academic Seminar (SEW), 2.0 ECTS, 1.0 semester hours, course number S05758

Description

MEDIA ART : PERSPECTIVES

Using Peter Weibel’s (1944–2023) Encyclopaedia of Media as a point of departure, the course explores the history of media art through the writings of one of its key curators, theorists and practitioners.

We will critically examine the encyclopaedic, single-author approach in relation to discourses on power, knowledge production and dissemination, while expanding upon and commenting on this history with a particular focus on pluralism and feminist art historiography.

A central focus of the seminar is the changing notion of what constitutes an artwork in media art. We will ask how media-based practices have transformed understandings of the artwork, materiality, process, authorship and reception, from early experimental approaches to contemporary digital, networked and algorithmic forms.

We will examine examples from the histories of video art and expanded cinema, sound art, net art, critical net cultures and cyberfeminism, as well as computer-based installations and the use of augmented and virtual reality in artistic practices. In doing so, we will consider both local specificities and global interconnections within a canon that is continually being redefined and expanded.

Alongside the Encyclopaedia of Media, we will discuss selected exhibitions, projects and artistic positions that open up further approaches to the history of media art and challenge, expand or shift the canon from different perspectives. These include, among others, Cybernetic Serendipity, ICA London (1968); ‘Hybrid Workspace’ and the ‘Cyberfeminist International’, documenta X (1997); Radical Software: Women, Art & Computing 1960–1991 (2025); and the 17th International Contemporary Art Festival SESC_Videobrasil (2011).

Examination Modalities

Attendance: 40%
 Students are expected to attend all classes, and active participation in group discussions is required. Exceptions may be granted; however, it is recommended that students not miss more than two sessions.

Assignments: 60%
 Two text summaries or artwork descriptions during the semester and a final written paper or oral exam.

Comments

IMPORTANT: For administrative reasons, you must register for both courses under their respective course numbers: S05758 (Valie Messini) + S05763(Denise H. Sumi)

The seminar has an interdisciplinary focus and is open to all departments, but is particularly aimed at students in the following tracks: Media Theory, Transmedia Art, Digital Art, Transart, Art and Science, Cross-Disciplinary Strategies, Architecture, Transcultural Studies, School for Transformation, and Experimental Game Cultures.

Key Words

Media Theory, Sound Art, New Media Art, Digital Art, Politics, Peter Weibel, Spatial Perception, Interdisciplinary, Transdisciplinary, Co-Creation, Ecological Media Environments, Technology, Virtual Reality, Mixed Reality, Hybrid Reality, Mediated Perception, Mediation, Spatial Media, Media Archaeology, Cybernetics, Cyberfeminism, Xenofeminism, Simulation, World Building, Net Art

Dates

Wed, 07 October 2026, 11:30–13:00 Seminar Room 34
Wed, 14 October 2026, 11:30–13:00 Seminar Room 34
Wed, 21 October 2026, 11:30–13:00 Seminar Room 34
Wed, 28 October 2026, 11:30–13:00 Seminar Room 34
Wed, 04 November 2026, 11:30–13:00, "time tbc"
Wed, 11 November 2026, 11:30–13:00 Seminar Room 34
Wed, 18 November 2026, 11:30–13:00 Seminar Room 34
Wed, 25 November 2026, 11:30–13:00 Seminar Room 34
Wed, 02 December 2026, 11:30–13:00 Seminar Room 34
Wed, 09 December 2026, 11:30–13:00 Seminar Room 34
Wed, 16 December 2026, 11:30–13:00 Seminar Room 34
Wed, 13 January 2027, 11:30–13:00 Seminar Room 34
Wed, 20 January 2027, 11:30–13:00 Seminar Room 34

Course Enrolment

From 01 September 2026, 11:00 to 14 October 2026, 11:01
Via online registration

Art Education: study subject kkp (Bachelor): Academic Practice: GO: Seminar, SEw 034/2026UBA-003.10

Art Education: study subject kkp (Bachelor): Academic Practice: FOR: Seminar, SEw 034/2026UBA-003.30

Art Education: subject kkp (Enhancements study): Academic Practice: GO: Seminar, SEw 034/2026UEW-003.10

Art Education: subject kkp (Enhancements study): Academic Practice: FOR: Seminar, SEw 034/2026UEW-003.30

Art Education: study subject dex (Bachelor): Academic Practice: GO: Seminar, SEw 037/2026UBA-003.10

Art Education: study subject dex (Bachelor): Academic Practice: FOR: Seminar, SEw 037/2026UBA-003.30

Art Education: subject dex (Enhancements study): Academic Practice: GO: Seminar, SEw 037/2026UEW-003.10

Art Education: subject dex (Enhancements study): Academic Practice: FOR: Seminar, SEw 037/2026UEW-003.30

Art Education: subject kkp (Bachelor): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Lehrveranstaltungen nach Wahl aus Wissenschaftliche Praxis 067/2016UBA-003.80

Art Education: subject kkp (Master): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: Lehrveranstaltung nach Wahl aus wissenschaftlicher Praxis, SE 067/2016UMA-003.80

Art Education: subject kkp (Enhancements study): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Lehrveranstaltungen nach Wahl aus Wissenschaftliche Praxis 067/2018UEW-003.80

Art Education: subject tex (Master): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: Lehrveranstaltung nach Wahl aus wissenschaftlicher Praxis, SE 071/2016UMA-003.80

Art Education: subject dae (Master): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: Lehrveranstaltung nach Wahl aus wissenschaftlicher Praxis, SE 072/2016UMA-003.80

Art Education: subject dex (Bachelor): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Lehrveranstaltungen nach Wahl aus Wissenschaftliche Praxis 074/2017UBA-003.80

Art Education: subject dex (Master): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: Lehrveranstaltung nach Wahl aus wissenschaftlicher Praxis, SE 074/2017UMA-003.80

Art Education: subject dex (Enhancements study): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Lehrveranstaltungen nach Wahl aus Wissenschaftliche Praxis 074/2018UEW-003.80

TransArts - Transdisciplinary Arts (Bachelor): Theoretical foundations: Theoretical foundations 180/2025UBA-003.01

Expanded Museum Studies (Master): Electives: Media Theory 537/2021UMA-080.20

Media Arts: Specialisation in Transmedia Arts (2. Section): Wissenschaft, Theorie und Geschichte : Medientheorie, Mediengeschichte 566/2019U00-208.02

Media Arts: Specialisation in Digital Arts (2. Section): Wissenschaft, Theorie, Geschichte: Medientheorie, Mediengeschichte 567/2019U00-208.02

Kunst- und Kulturwissenschaften (Master): Electives Area 1: Media Theory 568/2021UMA-005.06

Kunst- und Kulturwissenschaften (Master): Electives Area 2: Media Theory 568/2021UMA-006.11

Cross-Disciplinary Strategies (Master): Study Areas 1-3: Study Area 2: Science and Technology 569/2026UMA-020.20

Design: Specialisation in Design and Narrative Media (2. Section): Methodological and Theoretical Fundamentals: Media Theory and Semiotics 576/2024U00-203.05

Design: Specialisation in Communication Design (2. Section): Methodological and Theoretical Basics: Media Theory and Semiotics 577/2025U00-203.07

Fine Arts (2. Section): Scientific and Research Practice: Media Theory,Art&Knowledge Transfer,Th. of Architecture,Th. and Hist. of Design 605/2019U00-202.02

Fine Arts (2. Section): Scientific and Research Practice: Free Electives out of Scientific and Research Practice 605/2019U00-202.80

Design: Specialisation in Applied Photography and Time-based Media (2. Section): Methodological and Theoretical Basics: Humanities 626/2021U00-203.02

Cross-Disciplinary Strategies (Bachelor): Science and Technology: Deepening / Application 700/2026UBA-002.20

Art & Science (Master): Methods and Practices of Transdisciplinary Research: Practice and Theory 776/2026UMA-002.16

Co-registration: possible

Attending individual courses: possible