The centre for art and the political imaginary

The Centre for Art and the Political Imaginary has two main purposes: 1) to examine the ways artistic practice shape how the political is (re-)imagined and represented today; 2) to establish a long-term institutional collaboration between HDK-Valand and Kungl.

Konsthögskolan aimed at supporting the highest level of artistic research in Swedish graduate and research education in fine art through national cooperation and exchange.

This dual purpose reflects the fact that, to date, there has never been a Centre for Excellence in artistic research in Sweden.

It is necessary and urgent to create a research environment where material research processes in art and bibliographic research practices in art can meet and inform one another.

We see the concept of the political imaginary as the most productive ground for that meeting, as it focuses upon the important social role that art can play at a moment of intense upheaval and radical global transformation. We also see the institutional collaboration between HDK-Valand and Kungl.

Konsthögskolan as a way to ensure that the first Centre for Excellence for artistic research encompasses different skillsets and perspectives on the relationship between art and the political sphere.

This collaboration builds on the unique strengths of both institutions—with the internationally leading artistic research environment at HDK-Valand and the world-class fine art educational environment at Kungl. Konsthögskolan.