MediaArtHistories

Students MediaArtHistories/Testimonials

Jon CATES/USA

Academic degree(s): BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts – Art & Cinema Studies)

Testimonial: "The MediaArtHistories Masters program at the Danube University Krems in Austria is an amazing, innovative and ground-breaking program that not only provides the premiere Masters degree in Media Art Histories in the world but brings together top international theorists,
scholars, artists and curators. Coursework focuses attention on the most pressing issues of Media Art Histories and provides opportunities for exchange between the students and lecturers, working professionals in the field in Media Art. The intensity and focus of the program encourages discussion between students and lecturers in class as well as in social situations made possible in the informal meeting areas and restaurants at the picturesque Stift Göttweig, Furth (the town below the Monastery) and in Krems (on the campus of the University). Visits to organizations and locations such as C3 in Budepest, ZKM in Karlsruhe, TESLA and the RE:PLACE Media Art Histories Conference in Berlin and Ars Electronica and Stadtwerkstatt in Linz are wonderful opportunities to meet those working so in the field, learning directly from them and their organizations."

Wai Yee Winnie FU/Hong Kong SAR

Academic degree(s): BSc Bachelor of Social Sciene

Testimonial: "INSPIRATION REVISITED
As an exhibition curator working at the Hong Kong Film Archive, eager to stay up to date regarding new media and multi-media development. I felt super lucky to have encountered acclaimed theorists and famous media artists from worldwide, taken part in a few mind-broadening and exciting excursions. As privileged students from the MediaArtHistories courses, we had the chance to take part in crucial discussions around hot topics related to Media Arts. At the campus of Krems and Furth/Goettweig, Austria, we were engulfed by a “lyrical” landscape that served as our learning environment. As a young and energetic department in image science, the entire course design can surely be termed unique and inspirational."

Rolf WOLFENSBERGER/Switzerland

Academic degree(s): Dr.

Testimonial: "The wide range of lecturers (artists, arthistorians, curators, conservators, etc.) that were invited to the four modules and the diversity of students with different backgrounds gave me truly inspiring insights.
Even for students with full-time employments the low-residency structure of the course makes it possible to accomplish the assignments and finish the studies. This needs of course some tight scheduling and a certain amount of flexibility on both sides."

Mary HAMMER/USA

Academic degree(s): BA (Art History), MS (Library Science)

2000-2001: M.S., Library Science, Archives Concentration; Simmons College, Boston USA, 1992-1999: B.A. Art History, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Vocational career: 2004-present: Photograph and Map Archivist; Washington State Archives, Olympia, WA; USA 2001-2004: Art Cataloger; Adademy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, USA; 2003-2004: Archivist; Moore College of Fine Arts, Philadelphia, 2000-2001: Archival Assistant, Houghton Library, Harvard College Libraries, Cambridge USA

Rachelle Viader KNOWLES/Great Britain and Canada

Academic degree(s): MFA, BA (Hons) Fine Art; Associate Professor

Testimonial: "With a structure that enables study parallel to employment, the Media Art Histories program is an innovative model of education that attracts students from around the world, already advanced in
professional careers. This is a truly international program that introduces you to the leaders in the field and immediately places you as part of a global network. The modules are dynamic, intense, intellectually challenging and extremely fun! Trips to key institutions and events compliment seminars and lectures and regular online contact between the program participants maintains the group dynamic between modules. The location in the Wachau region of Austria
is spectacular and steeped in history and one of the many benefits of the program is the rich experience of this beautiful part of the world."

Reginald NJEMANZE/Nigeria

Academic degree(s): Higher National Diploma

Testimonial: "Being someone from a very practical background of sculpture, the huge theoretical base of the course, was a bit daunting for me at the beginning but looking back at the structure of the course and what we have done all through; I have learnt to carry out research more independently and confidently. The teaching methods and the support of the entire staff has also helped improve my presentation skills, how to do scientific writing and above all corroborative and interdisciplinary work
which is a very important aspect in contemporary art practice.
I would strongly recommend this course for anybody trying to explore the most intriguing ways media history is bound to digital and/or contemporary art."

Nicolas ROMANACCI/German

Academic degree(s): Diploma Communication Designer

Testimonial: “Current information in image science and MediaArtHistories (important: comparison of different approaches, no dogmata) renowned and charismatic lecturers from all over the world, fantastic and wonderful colleagues, fantastic location, custom-made modules… and beside the personal fulfilment first results, too: e.g. invitation for a lecture about Nelson Goodman at the 12th international Kongress der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Semiotik… wonderful… Many thanks to the nice team of the Department for Image Science.”

Nina WENHART/German

Academic degree(s): -

Testimonial: "The concentrated set-up of the MAH-program is unique. Great lecturers and students come from all over the world and from various artistic and theortical backgrounds. Lectures last for the whole day, but most often even go on in the breaks and at night when we all have dinner together. Because of the small group size, students and lecturers develop an unparalleled and intensive kind of relationship, which resulted in very open and enriching discussions. The learning process and effects are thereby greatly intensified. Oliver Grau and his team have managed to create an almost family-like athmosphere for lecturers and students where everyone feels welcome, challanged and inspired. The low residency model of the program proved that working profesionally and studying inetnsively are manageable at the same time. Because of its modular structure, new people came in every semester, which was great for the group dynamics. The group is so amazing, we began and continue to collaborate on projects outside the modules, collectively write a blog (http://mediaarthistories.blogspot.com/) and engange in ongoing discussions of Media Art Histories. Because of the compressed time of the modules, the small size of of the village and the long days together, these people have become my dearest friends. So in addition to what I have learned in Krems, having found these wonderful people is what I am most greatful for."

Eleni MICHAILIDI/Greek

Academic degree(s): Ptychion (Mag.)

Testimonial: "Apart from the big advantage of the parallel to employment structure, the Media Art Histories program proved a truly valuable educational experience. As lecturers and students come from all different kinds of fields and backgrounds, the resulting interaction is extremely interesting and fruitful, keeping the spectrum of the course wide and open."

Joanna Marta WALEWSKA/Polish

Academic degree(s): -

2004-2008: student in the Faculty of Philosophy at the Jagiellonian University, Krakow
Vocational career: since May 2006: Member of the ademic Society Collegium Invisibile in Warsaw

Claudia Marcela ALVAREZ AROZQUETA/Mexican

Academic degree(s): BA

BA in History, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico,
UNAM – graduated with Honors Mention, Mexico City, Mexico
Vocational career: independent curator in many curatorial projects, such as the Mexicali Bienniale in Los Angeles, and Substitute: Just another Animal Story, TPS, San Antonio, Texas 2009. Teacher: Research in Art creation (Contemporary Art) at the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City.

Gabriele KEPPLINGER/Austria

Academic degree(s): PhD

University Salzburg: Italian/German language and literature studies
Vocational career: 07/2007-present: co-conception and organisation of the conference: “Fernsehen der dritten Art – alternative TV-Modelle”, cultural administration course – BFI Linz
1.2.2005-31.7.2007: Johannes Kepler University Linz: gender mainstreaming “JKU goes gender”, 2000-31.01.2005: Management of the Company Arts and Cultural Association Stadtwerkstatt

Omar BERAKDAR/Syrian

Academic degree(s): Degree in Applied Chemistry

University of Damascus, Faculty of Science, Degree in Applied Chemistry
Vocational career: Material Management Director, responsible for production, planning, logistics as well as training and audits in his department of Unipharma. 2003-1998 Logistics Manager of Unipharma, 1998-1994 started as a production planning Manager of Unipharma; 1994-1990 worked in a cargo agency then in a programming company

Katrin CEBUL/Austria

Academic degree(s): Mag. Art.

1998-1992 Masterclass of Visual Media Design,
University of Applied Arts, Vienna; 1988-1987 Film and Television/ University of Music and Performing Art, Vienna; 1987-1986 German language and Journalism/ University of Vienna
Vocational career: “AIRTRAFFIC”/ a medial ligthsculpture, creating concept, project management, realization;
2008 photography for ArriNews, freelance; 2007-1990 analog and digital video editing, feelance at ORF Departments: Art And Culture, Politics And Events, Science, Sports, Religion

Stephanie THON/Germany

Academic degree(s): -

1996: Bayrische Akademie für Fernsehen/Video-Operator
1993-95: Media Design, Media Design Academy / CT
Computer Training
Vocational career: Since 2007: Motion Design Freelancer with focus‚ installation for Events, fair and exhibition.
2007-März 08: Creative Director for lucie_p Film GmbH, Project management for the medial display of the Spring-Exhibition 2008 in the BMW-World. ARRI Film & TV Services as Senior Assistant

Sonja Silvia SCHACHINGER/Austria

Academic degree(s): -

1999-2008 study of Economics WU-Vienna
Theory of colours at the TU-Vienna special Psychology training with a focus on Hermeneutic Observations
1998-1999 study of Architecture TU-Vienna