Illusion of Form

Image above: From "The Collective Voice" at Jinoos – a workshop with Alwynne Pritchard.

Illusion of Form is a project aimed at developing new teaching strategies and enhancing collaboration between Polish and Norwegian higher education institutions. The main focus revolves around dialogue and exchange of experiences concerning applied didactic methods.

Illusion of Form is scheduled to take place over two years in collaboration between the Faculty of Fine Art, Music, and Design at UiB Magdalena Abakanowicz University of the Arts Poznan – Faculty of Sculpture (UAP). The project has received funding from Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway through the EEA Grants.

Project Events

Project Organization

Dr. Marta Bosowska, who will serve as the project leader, has established a platform for collaboration between two art faculties with different approaches to art education. The collaboration will involve the mobility of teachers and students between the two respective faculties within the project.

Students will have the opportunity to enroll in this two-year project in March. Participation will include study trips, workshops, and exhibitions both in Bergen and at UAP.

The project will be led by the following individuals:

Project Leader: Dr. Marta Bosowska.
Administrative Manager: Jolanta Grek
Administrative Coordinator KMD: Torgeir Rinke Bangstad
Academic Coordinator KMD: Professor Lilibeth Rasmussen

The project group will also include:

    •    Professor Frans Jacobi, KMD
    •    Dean Dr. hab. Rafał Kotwis, Prof. UAP, UAP Faculty of Sculpture
    •    Vice Dean Dr. hab. Igor Mikoda, Prof. UAP, UAP Faculty of Sculpture
    •    Dr. hab. Jarosław Bogucki, UAP Faculty of Sculpture
    •    Dr. Tomasz Drewicz, UAP Faculty of Sculpture
    •    Professor Lilibeth Rasmussen; KMD, UiB
    •    Chloe Lewis; KMD
    •    Luz María Sánchez; KMD
    •    Fredrik Salhus; KMD

Illusion of Form - Bergen workshop 2023

The second visit of students from University of Arts in Poznan took place from 14th of September to 24th, 2023 at the Faculty of Fine Arts, Music and Design, University of Bergen. The student mobility is enabled through the generous funding of EEA (Liechtenstein, Iceland, Norway grants), and in it Polish students worked together with Norwegian students (enrolled in the Site & Context course at the Art Academy in Bergen) for an intensive workshop of 10 days which commenced with a presentation of artistic practices of everyone involved. The Polish guests were introduced to the work of Bergen-based artists and lecturers at KMD and were also given a guided tour through the KMD building and workshops situated in Møllendalsveien 61. An excursion of the city of Bergen was also planned as part of the stay, along with a hike to the mountain Ulriken. The group was invited to take part in a workshop entitled “The Collective Voice” with artist, performer and composer Alwynne Pritchardt, and an artist talk at Bergen Kunsthall with the contemporary artist, Sudanese Norwegian Ahmed Umar.

Brazilian artist and writer Nayara Leite who is based in Bergen and associate professor, inter-relational digital media-artist David Rych also introduced their work to the visiting students and lecturers from UAP, and on Tuesday the 19th of September they were invited to attend the seminar How Norway made the World Whiter by Marte Johnslien and Ingrid Halland which critically interrogates how white pigment titanium dioxide changed surfaces in art, architecture, and design.

The workshops where all students worked in groups reflected the competencies and research interests of lecturers and not least the overarching focus of the Illusion of Form-project on developing new teaching strategies and strengthening relations at the level of higher art education between Poland and Norway. Students worked with holograms, 3D, green screen, photo and video, public spaces / performance happenings. 

Common Ground

Project title: Common Ground – Multidisciplinary artistic practice in public space. Internationalizing and nurturing local indigenous knowledge

The "Common Ground" project is a visionary initiative that seeks to bridge the educational and cultural divides between the global south and north. By fostering a multidisciplinary approach to art, design, and music, the project aims to enrich higher education and promote international cooperation. The partnership between the University of Bergen, Makerere University and Kyambogo University and related partners is a testament to the power of collaborative efforts in nurturing local indigenous knowledge and integrating it within a global context. The project's focus on student and staff mobility, workshops, and exhibitions aims to make a lasting impact on the participating institutions and their surrounding communities. The anticipated exhibition in Kampala at the end of the project in 2026 will not only be a showcase of the project's achievements but also a celebration of the shared commitment to cultural sustainability and educational excellence.

Partner Institutions

Makerere University (UG)
ALDEA (NO)
Nsambya Glass (UG)
Design Hub (UG)
Uganda Museum (UG)
AfriArt Gallery (UG)

Participating staff from KMD

Åsil Bøthun
Johan Sagan
Petter Bergerud
Mikkel Wettre
Tale Vik
Terje Isungset
Anne-Helen Mydland