A polyphonic research into contemporary, Art & Crisis is the first volume of a new series aiming to explore the state of the world and cultural theories as seen through the lens of contemporary artistic practices and educational tools.

Stemming from the MFA Fine Arts at the Zurich University of the Arts, the series’ ambition is to replace the traditional ‘degree show’ catalogue with a theoretical publication showing the path followed by the students-turned-artists over the course of the year, and to explore how an educational institution based in Zurich can locate itself within the global (art) world.

For this first volume, artistic, philosophical, and visual essays, as well as contributions by the MFA students and its professional participants (such as T.J. Demos) are gathered together. A theoretical publication on educational processes and what it means to teach and learn fine arts in a city such as Zurich, this book also reflects on the field works made by the MFA students in 2017 in Athens, Beirut, and Lesbos.

For the MFA Fine Arts Director, Donatella Bernardi an MFA today is not only about learning, producing, and exhibiting, but also about thinking its position and modalities in the international network of fine art schools and how it can be part of an virtuous international cultural ecosystem.

Published with Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK).