event

Graduation Show 2018, Programme

Jul 5 2018 Jul 8 2018
Bachelors & Masters

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After months of researching, thinking, testing, failing and succeeding, the moment of truth is finally here: we are thrilled to showcase over 400 graduation projects of the Willem de Kooning Academy’s (WdKA) and Piet Zwart Institute’s (PZI) graduates during the four-day event, WdKA Graduation Show 2018! Scroll down for the daily programmes.

We are thrilled to showcase:

Willem de Kooning Academy Bachelors

The world is changing fast – and so is the role of art and design. The WdKA has reinvented itself to adapt to these changes. WdKA Graduation Show (Bachelor) is organised in three sections based on the Practices. In each section, you will find the work of different majors combined. This blurring and cross-fertilisation between majors reflect both the fast-changing world around us and the shifting role of art and design. Artists, designers and educators are trained within one of three future professional practices:

  • Autonomous Practices focus on collaboration, (self-)organisation and independence between different creative practitioners;
  • Commercial Practices focus on new roles and opportunities for artists, designers and educators in the ‘next economy’;
  • Social Practices focus on the impact of art and design on society.

&

Piet Zwart Institute Masters

The Piet Zwart Institute houses the international Master programmes of the Willem de Kooning Academy at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences. PZI specialises in a combination of in-depth specialisation and interdisciplinary exchange within an intimate learning environment. The programmes all share an interest in the complex social, cultural and political underpinnings of each discipline.

  • Master Fine Art programme foregrounds the reciprocal articulation of research, practice, and professionalization. It considers critical reflection, debate, and action as integral to self-directed artistic research and practice, and it fosters professional development for emerging artists through exposure to key actors and influences in the field of contemporary art, professional guidance and workshops, as well as exhibition and public programming opportunities for presenting ideas and work to wider audiences. Information about MFA Graduation show & programme.
  • Master Interior Architecture: Research + Design international programme offers students a unique Master’s level design-research education with a critical and experimental focus on the complex and developing field of Interior Architecture. For full information regarding graduation show of this course please check this page.
  • Master Media Design is a full-time, two-year, research-driven Master. The programme consists of two study paths. The Lens-Based Media study path (LB) focuses on approaching animation, photography, and the full range of contemporary cinematic forms as a single expanded field. For full information regarding graduation show of this course please visit this page. The Experimental Publishing study path (XPUB) focuses on the intents, means, and consequences of making things public in the age of post-digital networks. For full information regarding graduation show of this course please visit this page.
  • Master Education in Arts is a two-year part-time Master developed for working professionals in the field of art and design education. The programme explicitly connects theory and practice, focusing on contemporary issues, which span different practices and discourses: education, pedagogy, art, design, cultural theory, digital cultures (maker education), philosophy, museum education and other experimental pedagogical practices. For full information regarding graduation show of this course please visit this page.
  • The two-year part-time Master Design, WdKA programme is a creative education programme focusing on doing design research. The goal of this research is to find answers to a self-defined design question within an iterative process. Making and testing with relevant participants is combined with storytelling strategies. For information regarding graduation show of this course please visit this page.

Awards

On Friday, July the 6th and Sunday, July the 8th 2018, the awards for outstanding projects (BA and MA) will be handed out.

  • The Drempelprijs has been awarded annually since 1962 by the Municipality of Rotterdam (Gemeente Rotterdam) to one or more graduates of the Willem de Kooning Academy. Drempelprijs ceremony will take place on July 6th, at 17:00, Wijnhaven 61, Rotterdam.
  • The Rotterdam New Talent Award is a new annual prize for students graduating from the Design Academy Eindhoven and the Willem de Kooning Academy. This unique award helps young designers transform their graduation project into the stepping stone of their professional career during a sponsored residency of five months. The Rotterdam New Talent Award ceremony will take place on July 6th, at 17:00, Wijnhaven 61, Rotterdam.
  • Research & Hybrid Publishing Awards, Bachelor and Master. The WdKA Research Award was established by the Willem de Kooning Foundation in 2015 to emphasize the central role of art and design research within the newly introduced curriculum. The Willem de Kooning Research Awards are not prizes for just theses or research documents but for projects merging theory and practice where art or design work is a vital part of the research. Research Award and Hybrid Publishing Award ceremony for both Bachelor and Master graduates will take place on July 8th, at 16:00, Wijnhaven 61, Rotterdam.

Opening:

Wednesday, July 4: 17.00 – 23.00hrs

Side Programmes (in progress)

Wednesday, July the 4th

Thursday, July the 5th

  • 11:00-14:00 Print Kiosk/Shadow Library, Social Practices
  • 11:00-20:00 Audiovisual Design Director's Hub
  • 14:00-18:00 Guided tours for students from Secondary Vocabulary Education and Highschool. Register now for a tour of your choice
  • 19:00-22:00 Fin Festival. All the films of the Audiovisual Design 2018-class of the Willem de Kooning Academy will be presented at the Lantaren Venster
  • 19:00-01:00 Experimental Publishing Graduation Show presentations and performances will be presented in UBIK and Slash Gallery with an exclusive presentation from first-year students and extraordinary guest appearances

Friday, July the 6th

Saturday, July the 7th

Sunday, July the 8th

General Information

Opening:

Wednesday, July 4: 17.00 – 23.00hrs

General opening hours:

  • Thursday and Friday, July 5 – 6: 11.00 - 23.00hrs
  • Saturday and Sunday, July 7 - 8: 11.00 - 18.00hrs

Location:

Willem de Kooning Academy & Piet Zwart Institute
Blaak 10 | Wijnhaven 61 Rotterdam

Keep an eye on our website and social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn) for updates regarding the Graduation Show! Feel free to share your experiences, using the following hashtags: #wdka #pzwart #creatingpioneers #graduationshow2018 #wdkalife

Graduation Show 2018 Design Team: Fianda van Kuler, Laura Ketting, Ricardo Abbaszadeh, Stella Shi (Graphic Design, second year).

Apply now

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