In this course, students will collaborate with dancers from The Hartt School to investigate the role of bodily knowledge at the intersection of the spiritual and the material. Working from an integrated framework of embodiment, students will be encouraged to take a holistic view of human subjectivity (mind, body and spirit) seeking to reconcile the divide caused by cartesian dualism and challenging the division between the ‘sacred’ and ‘secular’. Responding to the guiding question: “If we conceive of the body as sacred space, how does this inform our understanding of embodiment in the material world?” Students from across The New School are invited to contribute to conceptualizing a new choreographed work. Philosophical and conceptual thinking, speculative ideation, and co-creation are essential for participation in this course.

Cristóbal Balenciaga Museum created a special program open to a limited number of exclusive international fashion schools to take part in a research and creation project based on the Museum’s collections, exhibitions, and archives: “TRANSMISSIONS: Heritage and New Creation.” In this course, students will create a collection of original designs based on the heritage of Cristóbal Balenciaga, the iconic designer from the Basque region of Spain. Students produce one garment using Balenciaga’s couture and tailoring techniques, using fabric qualities as a basis for research and inspiration. Students will research the history, heritage, and legacy of Cristóbal Balenciaga and his main contributions to fashion history, including the introduction and development of new silhouettes composed of fabric, air and body. The couturier used his mastery of tailoring techniques and extensive knowledge of fabrics to conceive of increasingly purer and more abstract silhouettes. At the conclusion of the course, jury-selected student work, including both process and garments, will be collected and showcased in a joint exhibition at the Cristóbal Balenciaga Museum, in Getaria, Spain (expected date in 2025). Through this project, students will discover the couturier’s creative path and how different silhouettes evolved, breaking away from established forms. More information will be shared, including due dates, exhibition dates, and projects guidelines and expectations to those who express interest. Inquiries email: sammarif@newschool.edu Subject line: TRANSMISSIONS