Institute for Contemporary Arts Research - IFCAR
The Institute for Contemporary Arts Research (IFCAR) was founded in 2005 to promote and establish artistic research and other closely related inquiry on an institutional basis. The Institute undertakes research in four core areas. The first, Philosophy of Art, conceives artistic research as philosophy, as thinking in art and working on the concept of art. The second, Technologies and Art, researches the functions that art can perform in interaction with new technologies. The third, Epistemologies of Art, comprises artistic research that generates knowledge specific to art. Work focuses on the production, the objects, and the different kinds of artistic knowledge. The fourth area, Art in Public Space, investigates how art can reflect, and recreate, contemporary public concerns through genuine artistic contributions. All four areas consider artistic research to be inherent in artistic practice. IFCAR research activities involve the continuous elaboration of a notion of research appropriate to art.
Within the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK), IFCAR contributes to ensuring knowledge transfer through staff members who serve as faculty on the Department of Art & Media MA Fine Arts. Beyond the ZHdK, the Institute fosters international cooperations with artists, research organisations, and other art and science disciplines. Special emphasis is placed on developing intercultural relations; IFCAR undertakes project partnerships with other universities, (arts) institutions, foundations, the public sector, private enterprises, and individuals. We also offer research seminars, a range of services, and consultancy. Events and publications serve to promote public debate and international exchange between researchers.
Together with the Institute for Theory (ith), IFCAR forms the Research, Services, and Knowledge Transfer Unit of the ZHdK Department of Art & Media.
Head of Institute: Prof. Christoph Schenker
Text in English [PDF]
Texto en Español [PDF]
