As part of the Project Work in Graphic Design subject within the Graphic Design module of the Media Production study programme, we hosted a practitioner as part of Erasmus+ mobility, Mr Marko Pejović, an art theorist and artist in the field of inclusive practices, also a member of the collective "Hajde da…" from Belgrade, Serbia.
Marko Pejović, who has nearly twenty years of experience in the field of participatory and inclusive artistic practices, was a guest lecturer last Friday for the Project: Graphics subject for Graphic Design students. The aim of the lecture was to familiarise students with the principles of developing project concepts using the example of inclusive artistic projects – which Mr Pejović has been developing for many years with his collaborators and for which he has received several international awards – both for his student and later professional projects.
Through dance productions, theatre performances, short films and video installations, Mr Pejović has endeavoured to connect artists and members of vulnerable groups (people with disabilities, users of psychiatric services, ethnic minorities, the LGBTQ community and young people with developmental difficulties). Using the example of the performance "Hegel and the Long List of Deceptions", students had the opportunity to understand which historical artistic heritage Marko and his collaborators drew upon and how they used the logic of syllogism to advocate for the right of people with disabilities to art.
In the second part of the programme, students had the opportunity to learn about the barriers that people with disabilities face in everyday life through various interactive exercises. This was an introduction to understanding the concept of universal design (design for all), which represents the design of products and environments that enables them to be as widely accessible for use by all people without the need for additional adaptations or the use of specialised design. Students then had the opportunity to create initial ideas for designing an artistic space that would precisely observe the principles of universal design. This was also an opportunity to become familiar with existing practices in this field.
"For me, this was a wonderful opportunity to transfer my knowledge and experience, as well as to learn how graphic design students think about the inclusion of people with special needs. Their responses were encouraging; they immediately began using what we discussed about universal design in their student projects. When I return to my organisation, similar activities that enable exchange in the academic space will certainly become part of our strategic plan."
In a conversation following this visit, students mentioned how this mobility programme helped them understand how some of our citizens live, whom they had not previously had the opportunity to get to know. They also believe that this teaching method, which combines theory, practical examples and experiential learning, is very productive, one that maintains energy during work and ensures a greater amount of active knowledge.
Source: Academia (22. 3. 2023). Fotografije: arhiv Academie.
This English summary was produced automatically from the Slovenian report and is pending editorial review. Slovenska različica
