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"Theory in Context” is a theory-practice seminar in the form of lectures or field workshops. We discuss resilient art and design practices dealing with the challenges of human and other experience in the Anthropocene. The course is supported by local and international guests from design, arts, humanities and the natural sciences.

In 2024, "Theory in Context” will focus on the ocean as a space of artistic and design practice and thought. We will explore the topic from the perspective of environmental humanities as well as arts and design practices with and within the ocean. Topics such as extractivism, more-than-human design, multispecies ethnography, attunement and planetary metabolism will be discussed and their manifestation in selected design and art projects will be analysed profiting from the rich Ocean Archive (https://ocean-archive.org).

This class will be complemented by lectures focusing on the basics of human perception and multisensory design in preparation for "Experimental Interaction I: Multisensory Design". These theory inputs cover the basics of phenomenology, embodied cognition and the bourgeoning science of perception.

The course will take place in cooperation with Central European University (Prof. Dr. Khadija von Zinnenburg Carroll) and with of TBA21-Academy's Ocean Archive (https://ocean-archive.org). Therefore, ZHdK students will have an opportunity to exchange with fellow students from humanities and curating, as well as artists and designers at TBA21-Academy. Invited expert guests will provide additional inputs.