Online Course
Black Canvas: A Radical Imagination Course
20th May - 10th Jun
Online Course
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"It is easier to imagine an end to the world than an end to capitalism." This quote by philosopher Fredric Jameson reflects the imagination crisis we face. Today, we can realise how much we have underestimated the complexity of our global challenges and the urgent need for paradigm shifts. From economic models to space activities, from climate change to nation-states, we need to envision new possibilities and foster a culture of radical imagination. All of this because continuing to do things in the same way we always have is a sure recipe for disaster. We have created this programme because the solutions to current global challenges won't emerge from the same thinking that created them. Moreover, changes won’t come from one person, but instead will emerge from collective imagination and action.
At KOSMICA, we have developed a unique radical imagination methodology called the Black Canvas. This methodology is inspired by the tools and techniques used by the artists who envisioned space travel long before science and technology dared to dream it. We have taught this methodology in our programmes with space leaders and aspiring astronauts. Today, we want to share it with all members of our cosmic community.
In this course, we take participants on a creative journey and land in the middle of the Universe, a black arena where we can imagine new ideas, visions, models of co-existence and solutions away from the constraints on Earth. This course is about forgetting the known and open territory for new possibilities together.
Information
.Mondays: 20th May, 27th May, 3rd June, and 10th June 2024.
.Time: 7pm CET / 11am CDMX
.Duration: 1.5 hours each session
.Language: English
Bookings
Book the Black Canvas course for €150 or opt for our three-programme bundle this year for just €390 and save €100!
The bundle includes the Black Canvas, the Spiritual Cosmos and our Space & Art Masterclass.
Book the Black Canvas course only
€150.00Add to cart
Or, book the three-program bundle
€390.00Add to cart
Artists at risk
We offer a limited number of spaces in our programme for artists at risk. An artist at risk is any artist who faces threats to their safety, freedom, or well-being due to their creative work, or who is affected by war or displacement. If you qualify, please send us an email to elevate@kosmicainstitute.com with a brief explanation about your situation.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
.You will explore how artists have consistently imagined space activities before they became reality, with examples drawn from literature, arts, and music.
.You will be introduced to our Black Canvas Methodology, travelling on a conceptual journey to a point of darkness where new stories and paradigms can be crafted.
.Both in practice and theory, you will learn radical imagination, social dreaming, critical consciousness, and various types of futurisms (such as afrofuturism and indigenous futurisms).
.You will discover techniques to identify assumptions and biases, as well as how to disrupt your own thought patterns.
.You will be guided on how to embrace chaos and create within the unknown, abandoning linear thinking to operate in ambiguity and uncertainty.
.Learn communication skills by effectively conveying ideas and creations through compelling and bold storytelling,
.A toolbox of creative strategies will be provided, applicable at any time, regardless of your current state of inspiration or the mood of the muses!
Commitment
Participants are expected to attend all four sessions, each lasting 1.5 hours. If you cannot attend one of the classes, we will provide you with a recording of the class upon request.
The course will involve assignments such as reading articles and conducting basic research, which will be collectively discussed during the sessions. Additionally, participants are encouraged to engage in the brainstorming sessions and group discussions.
In the Black Canvas, we will ignite radical imagination to envision new possibilities for addressing challenges both in our world and beyond
Course Syllabus
SESSION 1
.The Black Canvas Methodology
.Artists' visions of the future
.Potential applications of the Black Canvas
.Conceptual journey exercise
SESSION 2
.Re-storying the future
.Futurisms
.Radical Imagination
.Hands-on exercise to apply radical imagination
SESSION 3
.Social dreaming
.Critical consciousness
.Disruption of thought patterns
.Toolbox of creative strategies
SESSION 4
.Chaos, non-linearity and ambiguity
.Strategies for creating within the unknown
.Bold storytelling
.Integration and future applications
.Final reflections
Who is this for?
.Creatives and artists across all fields who aim to develop their creativity, originality, and explore new horizons in their work.
.Visionaries who want to create new models for the most pressing challenges today..
.Activists committed to using creative thought and action to have an impact.
.Professionals in innovation and R&D willing to push the boundaries of possibility within their work.
.Journalists and communicators dedicated to writing new inspiring narratives for the future.
.Authors seeking to foster their creativity for world-building.
We developed the Black Canvas methodology inspired by the visionary artists who dreamed of space travel before it was possible - and now we want to share it with you.
MEET THE INSTRUCTOR
The course will be led by Nahum, Director of the KOSMICA Institute.
His work goes deep into the human experience, challenging our perceptions through unusual perspectives. He produces works that reframe the way we engage with the universe with a wide range of media. Nahum's work has been exhibited in countries such as the USA, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Germany, UK, France, Sweden, Russia, Australia, Taiwan, China, Japan and Brazil.
Nahum was chairman of the Committee for the Cultural Utilisation of Space (ITACCUS) at the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) in Paris. He was the first artist to be awarded the Young Space Leader in 2014 and the Karman Fellowship in 2021 for his unique cultural contributions to astronautics and space exploration. He has designed space missions for artistic purposes with the European Space Agency, SpaceX, NASA and Roscosmos.
Since 2019, Nahum has been a Faculty Member at the International Space University in Strasbourg, France. He has given lectures at prestigious universities such as Boston University, Central Saint Martins, Tec de Monterrey, the Academy of Arts and Design in Karlsruhe, and the University of the Underground. He has been published by Penguin Books and Bloomsbury Publishing.