Reframing boundaries: reaching new audiences in the curation, exhibition and production of artists’ film and video

Project summary

The aim of this PhD research is to determine new paradigms for the dissemination and curation of artists’ moving-image practice with particular reference to site-specificity through exhibition or in a festival context.

The project draws on the influence of Expanded Cinema, a term devised in the late 1960s which redefined how artists and filmmakers could challenge the boundaries and parameters of conventional moving-image practice and its relationship with the viewer. Through the frequent use of multi-channel projection, immersive site-specific environments and mediatised performance, it literally deconstructed the edges and limits of the dominant cinematic form.

Interest in Expanded Cinema has continued to develop from the early pioneering work of VanDerBeck and Youngblood, through to its more recent redefinitions in an age of intermedia (see Walley, Koch et al).

This project will investigate the prominent traits of evolving practice, particularly within the context of a growing network of festival and arts biennales and the ‘placemaking’ roles that these occupy. It will also further examine how that landscape has become re-imagined in response to recent pandemic events and how such restrictions have resulted in the occupation of the virtual space. It is expected that the study will incorporate a significant element of practice, either in the form of curation or creative output.

• Undertake a critical investigation and survey into the key influences and impact of ‘Expanded Cinema’ practices during the last five decades
• Undertake research into new and innovative approaches to the exhibition and dissemination of moving image art and the place of the spectator
• Test and evaluate propositions through the creation or curation of original moving image artworks as a response to theme, medium specific materiality and environmental space

Research cluster

Digital and Material Artistic Research Centre

Entry requirements

For our PhD programmes, we normally expect you to have a First or Upper-Second (2:1) honours degree and preferably a masters degree in a relevant subject, such as Fine Art, Photography, Film, Performance, History of Art and Curation or qualifications that we consider to be equivalent.

International students may also need to meet our English language requirements. Find out more about our entry requirements for international students .

Project-specific requirements must align with the University’s standard requirements.

How to apply

Please contact Professor Huw Davies ( h.davies1@derby.ac.uk ) in the first instance for more information on how to apply.

The University has four starting points each year for MPhil/PhD programmes (September, January, March and June). Applications should be made at least three months before you would want to start your programme. Please note that, if you require a visa, additional time will be required.

Funding

Self-funded by student. There is a range of options that may be available to you to help you fund your PhD .

Supervisors

Huw Davies is a researcher and PhD supervisor in the School of Arts. He is especially interested in the creative and cultural industries and conducts a professional practice as a filmmaker, photographer and curator.

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Research areas