The Institute of Art in a Social Context

The work of the Institute is based on the idea of implementing the extended concept of art in a social context, so that art's social impact on the life of individuals and social groups can put to the test. It has set itself the following aims:

• to support intercultural exchange, mutual respect and social competence by running artistic activities in a social context.
  
• to encourage young people of different nationalities to work together and contribute in an artistic way to their environment.
• to cooperate with artists from different backgrounds and nationalities.
• to use art to support under-privileged children and young people
• to set an example of how art can open new perspectives in an interdisciplinary, intercultural and participatory process.
• to implement and monitor artisitic activities in youth work, especially painting and music.
• to promote an awareness of the extended concept of art and of art in public places

In addition, the interplay of the arts, in particular painting and music will be promoted in its anthropological dimension, and not simply for its intrinsic artistic value.

The practical work

The first project with Roma children in Rumania took place in October 2008 when art students from the Alanus University went to Rosia in the Siebenbürgen region. The Roma people have been forced to give up their nomadic life and large families have been settled in simple 1 or 2 room houses on the edge of the Rumanian town. The project was run in a Waldorf school, set up for the Roma, and offered diverse artistic activities including mural painting, mosaics, printing and improvisation as well as a transcultural music workshop.

Developing and implementing joint projects.

The people: A team of artists (painters, sculptors, architects, musicians and dancers) in cooperation with students from the Alanus University in Alfter/Bonn in Germany (as part of the BA, MA and LA programmes in Visual Arts). The artistic director is Prof. Dr. Ulrika Eller-Rüter, who is supported by local people.

The project: This will be carried out in intensive 1 to 3 week work camps set up in artistic, organisational and technical cooperation with local artists and people from the host institution.

Institut für Kunst im sozialen Brennpunkt
Prof. Dr.Ulrika Eller-Rüter
+49 (0) 22 22 - 9321 - 147
ulrika.eller-rueter(at)alanus.edu
FB Malerei, Alanus Hochschule, Johannishof
D-53347 Alfter/Bonn