MASieraad

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What is MASieraad

MASieraad is a 2-year Master programme in contemporary jewellery design hosted by PXL-MAD in Hasselt, Belgium. MASieraad is based on the premise that there is no such thing as the ‘right’ jewellery.

Designers Ruudt Peters, Ted Noten, Aldo Bakker, and jewellery theorist Liesbeth den Besten — together designed all education programing of MASieraad, engineered with their combined extensive professional educational experience and their distinct artistic and substantive views. This expertise is complemented with the diversity, innovation, educational background, and artistic expression of the partner teachers Estella Saez, Kalkidan Hoex, Alena Alexandrova, and thesis supervisor Ben Shai van der Wal. Given the reputation of the four heads of department and the productive synergy with their partner teachers, the teaching team of MASieraad has no equal anywhere else in the world.

In the 1st year, the challenge of making, processing, and critical feedback is provided by three intense 8-week workshops, led in turn by the three artist-heads of the programme and their partner-teachers. Each workshop culminates in a presentation in front of a jury. Theory courses, lectures, fieldtrips and workshops are led by the teachers and guests to build critical thinking and open discourse. The guided thesis project starts in the first year and is finished in the first semester of the second year.

The 2nd year students dedicate their time to their graduation project, supported by their thesis research. They are tutored intensively by the three artist-heads, while their thesis research is tutored by an external expert in research and writing. The graduation show takes place in both Belgium and Amsterdam.

MASieraad is hosted by PXL-MAD School of Art in Hasselt which provides the ideal combination of technical facilities, both hands-on and digital, all contained in their new campus.

The student body, international with diverse cultural and creative backgrounds, together with 8 teachers from different artistic careers and methodologies, allows for a fascinating dynamic where ideas and collaborations flourish. The additional guest lecturers at the campus throughout the year are invited to bring exposure to new ideas, mediums and techniques and to help the students network with globally connected professionals.

MASieraad’s unique organization, where the head instructors are also the board members creates a flat hierarchy. This ensures our commitment to the students and allows for immediate adjustments. We are MASieraad, we are approachable, and we are highly independent. Our program is aligned with the official international standards for higher art education, which is guaranteed by our collaboration with PXL-MAD.

Successful completion of the 2-year Master Programme with MASieraad leads to a master’s degree in Visual Arts specialization: Jewellery Design, Gold and Silversmithing and a certificate MASieraad H-A.
 

For Whom

The small-scale concentration of jewellery, and the relationship between people, their bodies  and their environment, should arouse our participant’s interest.
MASieraad H-A expects students to accept the challenge of critically questioning jewellery, both individually and while working in groups, and to think beyond the boundaries of jewellery.
MASieraad H-A expects students to understand the importance of explorations in interdisciplinary theoretical studies as an integral part of the Masterclass program.

Educational Program MASieraad H-A 2022-2023

The program consists of three parts: Studio, Context and Discourse.

Studio offers three intensive design workshops by each of the initiators and his partner-teacher. These three workshops will approach different subjects chosen by the initiator.

Aldo Bakker
In Aldo’s studio the students are guided into understanding their sources of inspiration and use that understanding to develop their own strong voices within the field of jewel design. Each student brings in their cultural, social and political background, for instance by choosing research topics that are closely connected to that background. Step by step, each student learns how to appropriate the inspiration and translate it into a very personal project. The interwovenness of experimental research, critical reflection and making is crucial. For each phase of the project we ask the students to experiment with a great variety of materials and media, and execute each idea that pops up during the process. Apart from intensive feedback sessions by regular tutors, and apart from receiving making instructions, the students receive film lessons to teach them how to incorporate their projects into larger narratives, and they receive lectures on ‘authorship’, ‘auto-ethnography’, ‘semiotics’, and lectures on exemplary works by other practitioners.

Ted Noten & Kalkidan Hoex
Ted & Kalkidan will give you a theme assignment to explore thoroughly throughout the workshop. Our workshop is aimed at social urgency and relevance. We will focus on the context. Solutional thinking and making are very important in our view. We will also focus on marketing strategy, and ways to learn how to position yourself as a designer in a diffuse market. Ted’s 40-years’ experience as a designer of jewelry, objects, and interactive situations, and Kalkidan’s up to date approach, combining jewelry with fashion, music, hand drawn comics, illustration and film, and their various networks, will make it an ideal combination. Both Ted and Kalkidan take an interest in a multidisciplinary and collaborative approach, in a range of techniques, materials and aesthetics, and are interested in other ways beyond the usual circuit to present their work. Supplemented with lectures/workshops from “outside” there will be enough ‘stach’ (turbulence) to find/fall/develop your own identity as an artist.

Ruudt Peters & Estela Saez Vilanova
The educational approach of Ruudt and Estela moves like a spiritual journey questioning the meanings of life and existence.. By making objects operating on an emotional level, numerous developments arise from individual choices and decisions.  The use of materials and technologies, concepts and concerns, that are part of our present time, make us interpret the ‘Zeitgeist’ (the spirit of the present) in our creations. The process is more important than the end result, emphasis is placed on making and repetition, to disable the rational brain and connect to the subconscious.  Students will revisit the process of making with a balanced knowledge of the conscious & unconscious, in effort to combine them both. With plenty of individual and collaborative praxis, critical thinking and self-expression. In their approach Ruudt and Estella do not shy away from confrontation, supporting the student in translating the personal into a universal (but distinctive) language.

Discourse intertwines and combines the three studios throughout the year together. In Discourse, led by Liesbeth Den Besten & Mònica Gaspar, the emphasis lies in theoretical explorations, and reflection. It is a training in discussing and expressing ideas that create links between artistic practice and the humanities and social sciences. The outcome of Discourse is a written thesis based on a theme that will support the students final artistic project during the 2nd year. In the second semester of the first year the students start working on their thesis, they define a theme of interest, clarify their question, search for sources and begin with the writing process. It is concluded with a draft research article. In the 2nd year, before autumn break, the Master's thesis is completed.

Context is an accompanying program to inform and inspire. The academic year begins with a two-week introduction in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. This is followed by two weeks in which Hasselt and the surrounding area are explored. The remainder of the year involves connecting the curriculum with the interests of the students, e.g. small seminars, films, book reviews, studio visits, etc.

All education is in English.

Practical information

Future Prospects
In our curriculum, we focus on our student’s future professional practice, for example, we will spend time analyzing markets, communities, and strategies. After finishing MASieraad H-A you can benefit from the expansive network of four renowned professionals in jewellery and design. Students gain a realistic view of the world in general and of jewellery, art, and design specifically. You have a multitude of possibilities that can be used in various areas, from design and art, to curation, writing and research.

Master Diploma and Certificate MASieraad H-A
The Masterclass Program MASieraad H-A is an integrated program of the Master in Visual Arts specialization Jewellery Design, Gold and Silversmithing and post-graduate education. Successful completion of the Masterclass Program leads to a Master’s degree in Visual Arts specialization, Jewellery Design, Gold and Silversmithing and a certificate MASieraad H-A.

Location and Facilities
The city of Hasselt is the main location of MASieraad H-A.

Address:
PXL-MAD, School of Arts
Campus Elfde Linie, building G
Elfde-Liniestraat 25
3500 Hasselt Belgium

www.pxl-mad.be

The brand-new building of PXL-MAD has state of the art work stations, fully equipped with the latest technology such as 3D printers, laser cutting machine, CNC milling machine, etc. There are general facilities for all students including a very good restaurant, the Students Shop, library and laptop service. Various spaces and studios will be used in Amsterdam.

Housing
There is a Housing Service at Hogeschool PXL that can advise on student accommodation in Hasselt. For Dutch speaking students, click here.
Students must arrange overnight stays in other places themselves.

Admission Requirements
To be admitted as a student to the Masterclass Program MASieraad H-A, students must be able to present minimally a bachelor’s degree, preferably in the field of jewellery or another relevant field such as design, fashion, visual art, or architecture. Students who have no prior education in jewellery will take a number of courses specifically focused on technology in the first year.

Application and Registration
There are 12 places per 1 academic year. The applications will be processed on the basis of first come first served.

For foreign students outside of EU, please be mindful to start your application on time due to long administrative process you might need due to VISA’s

The registration procedure consists of the following steps:

Application deadline 1 : 1 Feb — 15 March 2023
• 16 March – 23 March 2023 (interviews)
• August 15: Payment balance is due

Application deadline: 1 April — 15 Juni 2023
• 16 June – 26 June 2023 (interviews)
• August 15: Payment balance is due

Tuition Fee
Admission to the Masterclass program MASieraad H-A is € 14.000 per year.
Costs for housing, travel, and material are not included.
Upon admission, 25% of the registration fee, being € 3500, must be paid within one month. This is non-refundable if the student later decides not to follow the course.

Contact

info@masieraad.com 

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