artistic research        

Scientific Education

2008
·Doctor-Degree-Studies at the University of Dortmund/ Institute for Material Culture“
Doctor-Degree-Studies at the Leibnitz University of Hannover/ Dr. Eva Koethen
2008
·Scholarship of the Andrea von Braun Foundation for interdisciplinary research/ Munich
2008
·In the Loop Conference/ University of Southhampton/ Winchester United Kingdom/ UK
2009
·2nd. Conference of the Netzwerk-Textil/ Krefeld: „Intelligent Connections” 12.-14.03.2009/ Krefeld
2011
·Symposium: “Wieviel Wissenschaft bekommt der Kunst?”
·ARGE „Wissenschaft und Kunst“ Art-Academy/ Vienna
·Doctoral-Degree-Studies at the University of Hannover/ Faculty of Art
2011
·“Experimentelle Ästhetik”: VIII Congress der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Ästhetik / Art Academy of Düsseldorf
2011
·Curator, Artist and Arthistorian of the Exhibition: „Entlang des Fadens- Das Textile als Medium der zeitgenössischen Kunst“
2013
·Conference ARTgerecht – 2. Studententagung der Fachschaft Kunstgeschichte des Kunsthistorischen Institutes der Stuttgarter Universität. Lecture „kultiviertesubjektivitätsobjektivierungsselbstreferenzschöpfung“

Publication-Participation

„Kunst im Bildungsprozess“ Prof. Dr. Eva Koethen

Lectures about  Art; Art-History; Material Culture; Artistic-Research; The textile media of Art at the following Universities: Technical University of Dortmund; Leibniz University of Hannover; University of Stuttgart; University of Reutlingen; Royal College of Art/ London; Art-Academy of Offenbach HfG/ Offenbach; Archive of  Artists/ Darmstadt; Städelmuseum/ Frankfurt; University of Nürtingen; University of Art-Therapy/ Nürtingen; Art-Academy/ Nürtingen; Kloster Inzigkofen/ Inzigkofen; Academy of fine Art/ Vienna; Mozarteum/ Salzburg/ Austria

It´s time to overcome ignorance and open up to the wide span of creative possibilities that actually exist for artists working with the textile media. I work hard at deconstructing cultural and traditional receptions connected to textiles and textile techniques, mainly by working subversively with culturally defined meanings and traditional viewpoints- or widespread expectations connected to textiles and handicrafts. Thereby showing, that there is a lot more creative potential within the textile media in art, that goes way beyond clothing, decoration and functional usages. 

This was the reason, why I pursued deepening my knowledge and skills, by not only working practically as an artist with textiles and textile techniques for a span of over 31 years, but also by writing my thesis about the textile media in art of the 21st century and therefore reflecting the textile media practically, theoretically and scientifically. This has furthered my deeper understanding of  textile work, its´ effects, creative potential an immanent purpose and meaning.

In my view, the textile media within artistic work is a „social surface“ which is supercharged with cultural, traditional, haptic, structural, social, economical, gender-constituting, political, and religious meanings. These flow into artwork and strongly influence the publics´ reception. As the field of art is a freed space, it enables artists, scientists and students to challenge and question established conceivabilities of textiles- therefore opening up to innovation. This is a highly interesting field of work, which is gaining importance in times of unfolding virtuality in all life-spaces.

Through creative processes which are intitiated and inspired by the textile material, I am slowly uncovering, discovering and approximating the range/ span of possibilities, that the textile within art can actually entale. My work clearly aims at transcending limitations.The textile media, handicrafts, crafting- and DIY-Cultures stand surrogate for authentic feeling, materiality, haptics, manual dexterity and discipline. At the same time, they convey alternatives that answer to the problems of climate change, ecological and economical factors, capitalist exploitation, sweat shop work and the loss of connection to nature.

My artistic research has helped me to develop a concept for teaching textiles at university level, that I was able to successfully implement into my teaching at different universities. I also developed a curricula based on this for the „Freie Kunstakademie Nürtingen“. Evaluations of my teaching practices and the students results, have found this to be innovative and successful. In my view, students must learn to consciously roam through- and deeply reflect life spaces, the worlds issues, thoughts, innovations, feelings, news, politics, economic and ecologic issues, in order to develop an individual form of innovative creativity. Only then they will be able to make connections, unspoiled from established viewpoints, cultural barriers and conventions. This can actively be schooled.

Based on my 31 years of experience as a professional artist, curator, art historian, doctorate, lecturer, junior professor and teacher of art and textile art, my approach to teaching is truly interdisciplinary.It is such a rewarding thing to teach students to develop and generate their creative potential, while finding their individual artistic expression; to develop their senses and aesthetical sensitivity, their theoretical & practical skills and intelligence. Reflecting their artwork, being able to communicate, implement and generate their ideas, is a big step in direction of a freed innovative creativity, of which our times are in great need for.