12 hours, compulsory

The course consists of two sections: six theoretical inputs in the form of lectures/seminars, two field trips, and three group tutorials/workshops taught cooperatively by all lecturers (Barbora Lungová, Marta Fišerová, Nina Grúňová, Lucie Králíková).
1. Lecture 1. Appreciating nature and wilderness through the perspective of historical aesthetic values (English philosophy and aesthetics of the 18th century, the theory of the picturesque in perceiving landscape, the conceptions of historical parks and gardens; wilderness, the sublime, and nature through romanticizing (and colonizing) optics; landscape – an artificial human product (can we still perceive wildness though it?); wildness vs. wilderness; landscape as human artifact AND as a complex of functional ecosystems (examples of pre-industrial landscapes in South Moravia). Urban wilderness and vague terrain. Stibral, Cronon, Kolejka, Jongepierová, Hédl, Haluzík.
2. Lecture 2. Botanical explorations in the city, allotment gardening (historical perspectives, contemporary political perspectives), the aesthetics of small private gardens and allotment gardens, the battle of different aesthetic modes in public space, botanical and biodiversity values in urban space. Sádlo, Pokorný, Šturma, Gibas, Kolářová, Jedlička.
3. Lecture 3. Cultivating ornamental plants as an aesthetical phenomenon. Fad? Kitch? Nostalgia? Memory? History of changes. Copyright. Naming cultivars as a reflection of cultural stereotypes. George Gessert, Noel Kingsbury, Ondřej Fous.
4. Lecture 4.  A lecture by an invited botanist on a specific topic (i.e. novel ecosystems, urban biodiversity, strategies of invasive plants, etc).
5. First practical workshop. Students will introduce their first ideas about their artistic projects.
6. Seminar.  Michael Marder: Plant Thinking -  A Philosophy of Vegetal Life/Thus Spoke The Plant: Monica Gagliano and Suzanne Simmard.
7. Seminar. Giovanni Aloi – Antennae  – discussing selected articles from the journal.
8. Field trip 1 - Kunsthalle Bratislava, 12. - 13.10. 2023 - auditing at the art and plants  intenrational symposium.
9. Second workshop. Discussion of artworks in process (with possible external tutors). Students will be expected to reflect in the discussion the theoretical knowledge gained in the lectures and seminars.
10. Field trip 2. Ždánický Forest - a guided tour with biologist Zuzana Veverková. Second half of October, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.  (15th October???)
11. Third workshop. Final presentations of the project, including a written statement (300 words), discussion of a possible exhibition format (where? What kind of strategy? Financing?)

9 hours, optionally