ARTIFICIAL TIMES

Artificial Times is a two-year Master’s programme (MFA) that invites students to critically engage with music, sound and artificial intelligence. The programme offers students an environment to build artistic practices that are grounded in research, and address the dispersion, commodification, performance and reception of immaterial art works. Students will use techniques of code and composition to intervene in specific political and philosophical conflicts, thereby challenging the role of AI and sound as mediums for art.

During their studies, students will develop individual artistic projects and pursue long-term research interests, guided by an interdisciplinary team of tutors and guests. Seminars, classes and studio sessions take place throughout the year and introduce students to historical and contemporary debates and practices that relate to AI, music and sound. In group critiques and listening sessions, students will discuss their work and gather feedback. Students will also collaborate on several occasions, among them a symposium-exhibition at the end of each year. Students work towards a graduation exhibition where they present their individual work.

STRUCTURE

The Artificial Times programme consists of individual supervision, seminars, thesis writing, listening sessions, field trips and group critiques. Students are supervised by an interdisciplinary team of tutors, including researcher Flavia Dzodan and artist Femke Herregraven. On a monthly basis, there are guest talks by artists and researchers. At the end of the first year, students present their work at an exhibition and research symposium. Students are writing a thesis and are working towards a graduation exhibition in the second year.

Classes are scheduled on two weekdays. Next to that, students are required to work independently on coursework, individual projects and group engagements. Students can make use of the workshops and facilities such as the academy’s sound studio and Medialab.

STUDENTS

Artificial Times welcomes applicants who engage with sound, music or AI from a theoretical and applied perspective. The programme offers space for applicants who are artists, performers, musicians, writers, curators, organisers, and researchers. We welcome applicants who want to deepen their practice by conducting individual research in a multidisciplinary environment that requires working highly autonomously, while also being involved in collective processes. The practice of applicants should not be solely theoretical, as students are expected to present a body of art works prior to graduation.

Previous experience in working with music, sound or AI is beneficial, but applicants do not need to have experience in all fields of study. We also welcome students who have focused solely on music or AI. However, students must be ready to thoroughly engage with other fields, to temporarily abandon their medium, and to support fellow students in developing their respective practices.