Session 1: Course presentation and introduction

• Introduction to the program and course overview

This is a one-hour-only welcome session. The lecturer will introduce the program and participants will introduce themselves. No prior preparation is necessary.

Session 2: Speaking as Art

This week focuses on creative uses of voice and speech in the art world. We find various playful ways to get started with talking.

We will explore:

• A short history of talking in the arts
• The politics of speech
• Case studies of speech as a creative tool in art
• Warm-up exercises: We will try out different ways of talking, starting with spontaneous ad hoc formats

Session 3: Speech as Thought

In the session, we will discover how we can expand what we think through speech. As philosopher Arthur Koestler says, “Ideas come while talking.”

• Case study: performative lectures
• Breaking the norms of public speaking
• Writing a text to be read out loud
• How to prepare for public speaking?

Session 4: Communicating Art

Let’s talk art! In this session, we focus on talking about art in the context of an exhibition—be it as a viewer, an artist, or a curator.

• Should art be explained? If so, how
• How to move thinking between people in a room
• Ways to inspire and affect our audience
• Creating a story with art

Session 5: Art in Conversation

Talking can be as simple as the art of conversation. This session focuses on how we can get dialogues flowing back and forth with others.

• How to be a conversationalist?
• How does collaborative talking work?
• The various ways to conduct an Interview
• Documenting talking