Maha Maamoun

In this course we will take animals as our starting point to investigate issues that relate to our societies, cultures and politics. Animals have always been used in art, from prehistoric times to the present. In this course we will focus on the use of animals in contemporary art (with a focus on video and film).

When does the need arise to use animals or animal metaphors to talk about personal, social or political issues? How do we use animals as symbols or proxies for other subjects? And how does this use of animals help or delay our understanding of ourselves and others, and of the societies we live in?

We will look together into the work of a diverse selection of contemporary writers, artists, film-makers and others who use or reflect on the use of animals in their work. Through one-on-one meetings, group discussions, class assignments and regular film screenings, students will be encouraged to develop their own work in their preferred medium, or to collaborate on group projects. Final individual or group projects will be realised and exhibited, if desired by the students, at the end of the course.