Maria Lantz’s words

Deepened Empathy through Artistic Expression

Art, design and crafts affect and touch us all. Even through visual communication, interior architecture and visual arts and sloyd education we can feel and experience, understand, enjoy or be provoked. Sometimes beauty is expressed, other times sharp social criticism, with moments of humour or irony that make us laugh. But most of all, artistic expression is about deepened empathy, both as a starting point and as a sort of goal: Who does what for whom, why, and with what results? Do you see what I see, do you feel what I feel? Or do you see something else? We ask these questions time and time again in our encounters with each other – and with others.

In both of this year’s Degree Exhibitions, we stir up ourselves and our audience a little extra by mixing Konstfack’s different educational programmes. We offer a wild bouquet of genres to enjoy, a mixture that celebrates diversity, encounters and cross-fertilisations. A primaeval forest ecology of creativity with roots in Konstfack’s 180-year-long history. This time, 199 graduating students are offering their thoughts and ideas. After endless hours of work and many years of education, we welcome all curious minds to share the students’ stories and expressions about our present and future.

/ Vice-Chancellor Maria Lantz