Klasse im Kollektiv


Text work on own art academy, Drama
Publication, Softcover, Offset print (cover), Risograph (core), 10.5 × 17.5 cm, 143 pages, German, 2023, Edition of 70 copies

Class discussion under the direction of Prof. Markus Dreßen, 
Publication design: Janine Sauter, Leonard Siegwardt (graphic design), 
with Rebecca Häfner (photography), Christian Biniek (graphic interventions) 
Editing: Jule Oberg 
Text Production: Lam Funke






Based on the semester seminar Graphic Design II with Professor Markus Dreßen “The School of Vitebsk”, a play was to be written collectively that attempts to dramatically limit the art academy of the 21st century, its design in the face of the rampant crises and the associated ideal curriculum. In addition to the question of the right “creative expression”, the main focus was on the “social conditions”, which are being discussed in theater in a similar way to the current debate in graphic design.
The aim of the project was to play through these connections in a productive way. Questions of presence, movements in space, privilege and responsibility, pop-cultural zeitgeist, rhythm and language all played a role, as did the ongoing economization of society, the reproduction of inequality and “the big how?”.

Based on Sarah Kane's radical theater practice – exemplified by 4.48 Psychosis – different perspectives of are graphic design class are collaged as a polylogue. The many voices become one voice. There are no characters, no ensemble - just a nameless first-person narrator. The unique biotope of that art academy, with the strength of character of each individual, is exemplarily condensed in a week at the academy as a chain of thoughts and finally as a choreographed monologue in a collective publication, a play.