I had an interesting trip to Munich recently and had the pleasure of visiting the Student show at the Art Academy (Akademie der Bildenden Kunste Munchen). I was wowed by the building and envious of the high windowed studio spaces. As with many student shows the variety of work was impressive.
I had a very good conversation with Ines Weber an art student that had just finished her first year – their summer shows include all years in the exhibition. It was good to hear about her initial experience of degree level education in Munich and on reflection has increased my respect for the art education that I have had in the UK. From a far I had always admired German education and the support that their students receive in making the transition from education into the art world – the grass is always greener. Also German artists would feature strongly in my all time favourite list – Genzken, Kippenberger, Richter, Polke… to name a few. Hence this admiration from a far no doubt fertilized the grass over the fence.
Ines is studying under the Atelier system. I understand from this that she studies under the same artist tutor for her whole time at that institution. Her complaint was that her tutor was often absent, hard to get hold of and sometimes drunk. She didn’t feel that she ever got much guidance let alone teaching and hence is very dependent of her fellow students for her learning and development. However her tutor is a well respected artist practicing in Germany and so seen as a credit to the institution.
She felt frustrated by the macho posturing of this out dated method of teaching and learning – the privilege of a student having access to the knowledge of the ‘elusive master’. She is right to say that her learning has developed through her interaction with fellow students. This is expected at any institution but a tutor is there to facilitate and develop that learning further. Teaching and learning is a multi way practice between the tutor and students.
The students at the Kunste Akadamie show their work as according to their Atelier group – I found this interesting to see how students’ work closely relates within Atelier groups. There was one group of students’ work that I felt very inspired by. They had carefully curated the room even thinking about what viewers could sit on. There was some strong and very professional work; some of it hung high to really make full use of the vast walls of the studios. I couldn’t help but notice that these students were working under a female tutor and I wanted to know if their experience of learning at the Academy was any different to Ines’ – sadly there were no students available at the time to ask.
I am passionate about teaching and learning and believe that a good art education can really stretch student’s way of thinking, problem solving, analytical and interpretation skills. I am aware that I received a good art education – I had a variety of tutors to refer to while studying and so wasn’t just influenced by one train of thought. All my tutors were practicing artists but also dedicated to teaching and learning – they were available and were not jetting off to their next big exhibition mid-term. I hope that the future of art education in the UK is not threatened by the increased fees due to hit students and Universities this Autumn – there are some good teaching practices here and it is sad to see them being cut. My trip to Munich has encouraged me to reflect on the impact of a good teaching practice and has renewed my commitment to learning in my own teaching practice.
