Oxford - UdK Berlin Partnership in Arts and Humanities - Spaces, Bridges, Encounters

Since the beginning of 2020, the Berlin University of the Arts, Oxford in Berlin, and the Oxford Research Centre for the Humanities (TORCH), have been undertaking the development of a research “bridge” between UdK Berlin and the Oxford Humanities. The underlying concept aims at exploring new methodologies, new modes of representation, and new uses of language that are applicable to the Arts and the Sciences alike. A series of projects, drawn from UdK Berlin and the TORCH research networks have brought together researchers and artists in both locations to discuss and develop the potential of a collaboration between art and science in a range of exciting academic areas. Among these, several confront some of the most pressing issues facing the world and humanity.

The encounter between arts and science advocates a worldview, which willfully goes beyond disciplinary borders and embraces speculative, subjective approaches in research and creation. This corresponds with the complex challenges the world is facing today.

An initial workshop to take place in Berlin had been planned for April 2020, but due the restrictions in travel arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, this was replaced by a series of online meetings, in which researchers from both institutions could engage with each other, and set out their main interests and directions of art and research. The series culminated in a two-hour digital workshop on 26th June.