Tension/Spannung

The expression ‘tension’ appears in manifold contexts with diverse meanings. We speak of social, religious, electrical, sexual, and creative tension. In all these cases, tension refers to a static but unstable state. Such a state is on the verge of a dynamic process that may be destructive as well as productive. Tension provides the condition for transformations, but determines neither their beginning nor outcome. As a state of undecided potentiality, tension promises us agency and demands our involvement, while also captivating us aesthetically. By exploring the critical role of tension, the ICI’s inaugural project also seeks to reflect upon the Institute’s mission. More details on the core project Tension/Spannung.

The core project began in fall 2007 and will focus on Kippbilder / Multistable Figures in 2010/11.

Every year, fellows from various disciplines are invited to join their individual projects to the core project and work through common, focused questions in weekly colloquia and other encounters at the ICI. Within the same thematic frame, the ICI organizes and hosts a variety of events and produces publicatons both in print and online.

Publications

Print

Presentations of Works and Projects by Members of the ICI

1-9/11

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Audiovisual

1-9/26

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Series

The ICI has developed a number of series specifically for the core project Tension/Spannung, including:

Spannungsübungen

Wort/Spannung

Formats

Workshops and Conferences

1-9/15

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Lectures, Colloquia, and Seminars

1-9/16

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Art Events

1-9/15

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Other Events

1-9/28

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Cultural Inquiry

The ICI also organizes and/or supports a variety of other events fitting its concept of Cultural Inquiry. You can browse all events by date or by format.