Unlayering Narratives : Living Archive

Wintersession
3 credits

Archives are repositories of primary sources that document the human experience, from official records
to personal papers, photographs, audiovisual recordings, and born-digital materials. In the past, the term "archive" was primarily used in an objective sense as a form of documentation. However, contemporary artists now utilize archives as frameworks, processes, and methods for their artwork, even questioning the very essence of objectivity. This course is an introduction to creative approaches to working with archives. Students will explore how archives can be transformed into a medium for artistic work through the study of diverse methodologies and practices. It will provide an overview of fundamental archive-related concepts and will delve into the use of different tools and methods for interpreting archives in unconventional and innovative ways.