Fresnoy Collaboration
Le Fresnoy @ Duke
Beginning in Fall 2008, Duke University Students have the opportunity to spend a semester at Le Fresnoy.
Le Fresnoy is the most advanced institute in France devoted to teaching, research and experimenting with all aspects of the visual and media. It is the brainchild of Alain Fleischer, a prodigious author, visual artist, producer, photographer and cineast. Le Fresnoy admits a selected group of international artists and scholars for a two-year period. The only requirement these residents have is to produce and present a new and innovative project that engages in original ways the visual. These products can range from artistic installations, performances, multi-media presentations to movies and digital productions (have a look at some of their studentsí projects, called Panorama).
The architecture of this avant-garde media school has been designed by Bernard Tschumi and is often considered as one of his most interesting creations. Le Fresnoy also organizes exhibitions of contemporary art, movie and multi-media screenings. The works realized at Le Fresnoy are shown throughout the world and selections will be coming to Duke at regular intervals.
VSI is in the process of setting up a student and faculty exchange between Duke and Le Fresnoy (LeFresnoy@Duke). The overarching goal is to bring some of the Fresnoy artists here to Duke and let them explore the potential of connecting the theory to the practice and, above all, bring them in direct contact with the sciences. In their home institutions, these artists often lack this creative connection with the sciences, which is rapidly becoming a unique signature feature of the Visual Studies Initiative here at Duke. The Fresnoy artists will be hosted by the Department of Art, Art History & Visual Studies and will have an opportunity to participate in regularly scheduled courses and seminars, explore contacts with artists and scientist, in short, become an active part of the Duke community.
In return, we plan to send undergraduate, graduate students and faculty to Le Fresnoy in the Fall of each academic year, starting in Fall 2008. We have selected Fall, for this is the period when all the facilities of Le Fresnoy are under utilized, including their top of the line digital studios, workshops and media labs. These exchanges are project-oriented.
Interested students should contact us.