ESCAPING THE LABYRINTH: CREATING WITH CONSTRAINTS
Ages 16-29
Fall 2022, Online
In this writing and videography workshop, student fellows will learn to use constraints in their art-making as tools of organization as well as opportunity. They’ll discover the contradictory freedom that imposing rules of form on one’s process might allow. One reference point will be the “Oulipo” literary movement, founded in 1960 by a group of writers and mathematicians who were interested in creating work using limiting techniques (learn more). As one member put it, an Oulipian writer is a “rat who constructs the labyrinth from which it plans to escape.” In-class work will include writing exercises, viewing of film work employing systems and constraints, and discussion uncovering what systems may already be at play in each of our processes. Over the course of the workshop, each fellow will design their own constraint which will guide them in completing a final written or video project. Fellows are welcome to bring projects already in process, which are perhaps in need of a new perspective, but might also start with fresh slates, generating ideas through class viewings, readings, and discussions, as well as group and individual exercises. Final projects will be shared on the program website and at a public exhibition. Limited to 8 student fellows.
Caroline Preziosi is a poet, artist, and educator. She is currently studying at School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and splitting her time between the Midwest and her home in Baltimore.
Priyanka Kotha is an engineering management graduate student from India who takes comfort in art. She is obsessed with painting skies and taking pictures, and she enjoys meeting new people.
