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Research at CSAD
Chris Short: The Art Theory of Wassily Kandinsky, 1909-1928 The Quest for Synthesis
Dr Chris Short's new book, The Art Theory of Wassily Kandinsky, 1909-1928 The Quest for Synthesis (ISBN 978-3-03911-399-6) draws on the diverse literature that has been written on Kandinsky's art and theory to demonstrate that while many different perspectives on his work have been identified, none hold the ‘key' to that work.
Short shows Kandinsky's method in his writings to be highly eclectic, resulting in an exciting and challenging variety of content. Kandinsky, however, transcended this diversity and consistently sought evidence of the unity of all things: something that would be realised through his understanding of the term 'synthesis'.
The book follows Kandinsky's fascinating attempts to establish synthesis (not only in art but also in other disciplines including science, mathematics, law and politics) in his key theoretical publications: On the Spiritual in Art (1911) and Point and Line to Plane (1926). The result is a new and innovative understanding of both Kandinsky's art theory and his art.
posted Jan '10
The School is host to a wide variety of exciting research and actively seeks to collaborate with academic and industry partners. We engage with cutting edge design technologies, engineering and material arts, as well as fine arts, and the history and theory of art and design.
"In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise the Art & Design panel rated 95% of the research submission as international standard"
Much of CSAD’s Art and Design research is conducted through the Wales Institute for Research in Art and Design (WIRAD). In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise the Art & Design panel rated 95% of the research submission as international standard, with 70% rated as either Internationally Excellent or World Leading. World Leading research was specifically noted by the panel in the Film Photography & Screen Media, Fine Art and Ceramics research groups. Using Times Higher weightings our submission was 12th out of 70 in the UK and the best in Wales. This significant achievement by WIRAD's founding members, UWIC and Newport, demonstrates very clearly the international quality of WIRAD's research.
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Research covers many aspects of practice in the discipline, including the theorising of artists' creative practices, and the history of studio ceramics. |
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Centre for Fine Art Research (CFAR) A coherent and ambitious programme around Fine Art research including painting, sculpture, printmaking, time-based and performance, new media, art history and aesthetics. |
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Creative Teaching & Teaching Creatively The group aims to draw together all involved in creative teaching practice and research to develop and disseminate new pedagogic approaches. |
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Research into methods of making and the impact of digital technology upon creativity and innovation. |
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Ecological Built Environment Research and Enterprise (EBERE) Research and enterprise that is centred on the creation and preservation of the Built Environment from an ecological perspective, which adopts a holistic approach to achieve this at the micro level for shelter and up to the macro level for communities and beyond. |
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A design research lead by a philosophical discourse centred about embodied interaction, the exploration of how technology is enacted as a component of the soma and the development of strategies for the implementation of enactive technologies. |
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Programme for Advanced Interactive Prototype Research (PAIPR) PAIPR is investigating methods for rapid design and development of computer embedded products such as mobile phones and PDAs. |
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The Sensory Design Group aim to design, develop, and distribute (where applicable), a range of experiential, sensory and educational technologies. |
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A group that share a common interest in investigating and developing processes that increase the potential for design to contribute to personal and community development. |
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Through approaches to continual professional development, the group's research seeks to demonstrate the role of tacit knowledge in influencing companies' strategic planning, and the development of entrepreneurship and management skills. |
Research Degrees
CSAD has a long history of CSAD has a long history in the generation of art & design research. It has an active and supportive research environment, and its supervisors have significant expertise in the various ways in which art, design and engineering theory and practice can contribute to knowledge. The School welcomes applications from graduates wishing to pursue MPhil of PhD research in any of the research areas detailed above. For further information on CSAD’s Research Degrees and current students visit Research Degrees.
WIRAD
WIRAD consists of centres, groups and networks under five over-arching themes; Design Enhanced Human Futures, Design: Policy & Practice, Fine Art & Ceramics, Film, Photography & Screen Media, and Creative Pedagogies.
For further information about industry related research at CSAD, please contact Steve Gill, Director of Research, Cardiff School of Art & Design, email: sjgill@uwic.ac.uk
Visit UWIC's Research Knowledge Transfer site
Latest News
Dr Canavan lectures in Kuwait
BA Textiles Lecturer Dr Keireine Canavan is to conduct a lecture in Kuwait City later this month.
The lecture will visually describe the discoveries, through the translation of a dwindling number of master-weavers’ narratives, about the integrity and symbolic meaning of Kuwait’s Sadu weaving heritage.
Dr Canavan will also be conducting a forthcoming lecture event titled 'The Language of AlSadu Weaving' at Victoria & Albert Museum, London. 2-3 July 2010.
posted 15th Mar '10
Cardiff Open Art School in Venice
Cardiff Open Art School is planning two courses to take place in Venice!
This Summer we will hopefully be running a drawing course and an Art History course in what is one of the world’s most spectacular cities, renowned for its architecture as well as its art.
Read more on the COAS web page here.
posted 12th Mar '10
Professor Pepperell involved in neuroscientific study
A neuroscientific study conducted by a team based at the University of Zurich, Switzerland, and involving Professor Robert Pepperell, Head of Fine Art, has been published in the leading journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience.
posted 10th Mar '10
BA Illustration Exhibition
An exhibition of second year BA Illustration students' work entitled 'Scatter' will take place from March 14th - 20th, 2010, at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Cardiff, CF10 2FC.
For more information, visit the Scatter blog here.
posted 9th Mar '10
South Korean students enjoy exchange trip
Cardiff School of Art & Design was pleased to have played host to a dozen students from South Korea who came for a six-week stay.
CSAD arranged the exchange programme with Dong-A University in South Korea, after forming collaborative academic links with leading institutions in the country.
Read more on the UWIC website.
posted 8th Mar '10
MA Graduate in touring exhibition
Following the recent completion of his MA in Fine Art, Chris Dennis will be exhibiting alongside 63 postgraduate students, professional and emerging artists from around the world in a touring exhibition called 'A Moving Exhibition'.
More information on the 'Moving Exhibition' website.
posted 8th Mar '10
Howard Gardens Gallery - "Taking Issue"
“Taking Issue” (25th Feb - 18th Mar) is a show especially looking at the work of eight London Print Studio artists whose work is founded on issues, responding to political, sociological and ethical concerns through the medium of printmaking and employing a strong aesthetic language to transmit their ideas and interests.
posted 4th Mar '10
Richard Cox's Touring Exhibition
"Subterranean Architecture, Stepwells in North Western India & the Jagmandir Series" is the title of CSAD Curator Richard Cox's touring exhibition of digital prints and paintings.
The exhibition can be viewed at the Pittville Studios, Cheltenham from 18th March - 9th April 2010.
posted 3rd Mar '10
Exhibition for Haiti at the Chelsea Arts Club
Fine Art lecturer Cherry Pickles is holding an exhibition and sale of her work at the Chelsea Arts Club, London, in aid of Fondation le Mabouya, Haiti.
The exhibition runs from 2nd March - 6th April 2010.
posted 1st Mar '10
Product Design project a great success
Students from CSAD's Product Design programme met with students from 8 other Universities across Europe to take part in a two week long 'Intensive Project' at Howest University in Belgium.
As a result, 8 Product Design students won 2 of the 3 available prizes.
Congratulations to all who took part.
posted 23rd Feb '10
Fine Art Venice trip
BA Fine Art staff and students recently took a trip to Venice to visit the International Biennale, as well as its large collections of churches, museums and cultural sights.
They stayed on the island of La Certosa, which is currently being developed by the Venetian authorities as an educational, cultural and sports facility.
posted 19th Feb '10
The Cardiff Group receive major funding award
The Cardiff Group have received a major funding award from Safle for a forthcoming project and exhibition in March 2010.The Cardiff Group - including Fine Art staff members Mark Halliday, Dallas Collins and Luke Mintowt-Czyz will be exhibiting large-scale work in the ‘Blue Bell’ aircraft hangar in St. Athan.
posted 17th Feb '10
Fine Art Masters Open Events
Feb. 23rd 4.30 - 6.00
April 27th 2.00 - 4.00
Open events for our exciting and innovative Masters programmes in Fine Art will take place at our Howard Gardens Campus and we would be delighted to see you there.
Full details on the Fine Art Masters level website.
posted 4th Feb '10
Research studentship applications 2010
For students considering applying to Cardiff School of Art and Design (CSAD) to undertake a research degree (MPhil or PhD), commencing October 2010, now is the time to get in touch with us. Early contact is especially important if you are considering applying to research councils, such as the Arts and Humanities Research Council, for funding to meet the costs of living expenses and tuition fees.
Click here for more information.
posted 17th Dec 09
Cardiff School of Art & Design Masters Degrees
A pdf of CSAD's portfolio of Masters Degree courses is now available to download. Our masters awards are designed to give graduates the opportunity to get to grips with their subject through practice at an advanced level and to do so in a lively community of practitioners and researchers.
Download the Masters Degrees pdf here.
posted 6th Nov 09
