Introduction to artistic research 

 

Artistic research is a young, dynamic field of knowledge production in which art is regarded both as an object and as a means of research. Here, research is not only conducted about and for art, but new knowledge is also generated in and through artistic practice. This involves a variety of forms of knowledge and understanding, including bodily knowledge, knowledge about artistic processes and relationships, tacit knowledge, practical knowledge, auditory knowledge, anticipatory knowledge, and much more. Often, the development and critical-systematic reflection of artistic practices, inter- and transdisciplinarity, collaborativeness, plurimedia, and awareness of issues of societal or social relevance also play an essential role, with varying degrees of emphasis depending on the specific project.

Since the exciting and innovative field of artistic research is still uncharted territory in many respects, and since there are quite different views in different geographical regions and in both academic and non-academic contexts about what constitutes and characterizes good artistic research, it is somewhat challenging to develop and assert one's own position in the field. Last but not least, it cannot be denied that artistic dissertations are becoming increasingly important and that different styles of artistic research also play a major role here. Branding and public relations in the broadest sense

 

Objectives

  • Develop an overview of what artistic research is/can be

  • Learn about the possibilities of artistic research projects and funding opportunities

  • Gain an understanding of whether your own research interests or project interests could fall within the field of artistic research.

 

 

Johannes Kretz ©Gerhard Aba

 

Course lecturer Johannes Kretz


Johannes Kretz is a composer, electronic performer, and artistic researcher. He studied composition at the Vienna University of Music (with F. Burt and M. Jarrell), music education, and mathematics at the University of Vienna. In 1992-93, he completed a one-year computer music course at IRCAM in Paris with Marco Stroppa and Brian Ferneyhough, among others. From 1996 to 2001, he worked as a teacher of music theory and composition at the Vienna Conservatory, and since 1997 as a teacher of computer music at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna (mdw), since 2001 also music theory, since 2004 also composition, and since 2009 as associate professor of composition (habilitation). From 2013 to 2021, he was head of the Institute for Composition, Electroacoustics, and Sound Engineering at the mdw, and from 2018 to 2021, he was project manager of “creative (mis)understandings,” a three-year transcultural artistic research project with indigenous peoples from Taiwan (PEEK – FWF). Since 2020, he has been director of the Artistic Research Center (ARC) at the mdw. Since 2023, he has been a member of the Research Advisory Council of the Orpheus Institute in Ghent, Belgium, and since 2024, a board member of the Society for Artistic Research (SAR).

Webinar

 

Dates
TH, 26.02.2026 
2 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Location
online via Zoom

ECTS
The webinar, including preparation and follow-up, counts as 3h of 60 minutes each for the Career Center elective

Registration 
Starting September 2025 to careercenter@mdw.ac.at