Philosopher and artist Andrey Velikanov presents his lecture course Anamorphic Encyclopaedia. Philosophy, Culture, Art.
The word “anamorphic” in the title of the course signifies a particular interpretation strategy, which implies the study of a chosen object through other objects and phenomena—and from several perspectives. The course will focus on a number of words and objects representing contemporary culture: from terms used in contemporary theory to Internet memes. Each lecture will be devoted to one word starting with a particular letter of the Russian alphabet, explored through several related terms of ideas. Although visitors are welcome to attended specific lectures, the course is designed as a vocabulary, or an appendix to Andrey Velikanov’s course Philosophy of Art, delivered in 2014–2015.
The course continues a series of lectures exploring the connection between philosophy, culture, and art, with art envisaged as a cognitive tool combining rationality and sensibility.
An expanded program and in-depth analysis of the subjects discussed in the course will be offered in the form of a study group. Participants will analyze texts and participate in debates: developing their own creative vision, style, and ideas on culture and the world, as well as continuing to learn about the history of philosophy and art movements out of class. A distance learning option for those who cannot attend classes in Moscow will be available for the first time.
Any scientific, vocational or art school aims to provide its students with a range of skills and the knowledge they will need in order to master a profession. Andrey Velikanov’s school offers its students the opportunity to become themselves: learning about other people’s ideas, as well as practicing their own skills, will inevitably lead to the question of self-identification. For some, it will be a difficult or painful encounter. For others, it will be a chance to rediscover themselves, think and learn in a group, and employ various existing intellectual and creative practices in the development of new ideas.