Course content.
We live in a material world, and material is the basis of everything. In the «Materials – basic» minor, you will explore the physical and symbolic functions of material in global and local contexts. You will consolidate your knowledge of material cycles, acquire a basic knowledge of materials, and expand the common idea of what constitutes material to include their perceptive, atmospheric and narrative potential.
The minor anchors material in historical and cultural-scientific terms, and examines it in an economic-environmental context. You will explore the basis of your own artistic and creative practice in scenographic settings, installations and performances with regard to the effects of materials.  Space, body and object will be examined at a material-technological and material-semantic level, including ephemeral or dynamic materials as well as transformation processes.

Skills acquired in the course.
You will learn to:
–  classify complex connections in the material world, and assess their technological, environmental, social and historical relevance. 
–  evaluate the potential and challenges of common and innovative materials from transdisciplinary perspectives.
–  understand the various inherent levels of meaning in materials in relation to products and objects, and query them artistically in specific performative or installation settings.
–  view material as the basis of your design practice, deploy it in an innovative, reflective manner, and compare it with relevant discourses of the material turn and natural-scientific developments.

Admissions requirements.
Z-Tech-Workshop-Pass (low-level workshop) with confirmation is required or has to be acquired by the start of the minor module (calendar week 2).

Language skills required.
You need the following languages to take this minor:
–  German and English: to be able to follow a discussion
–  German or English: to actively participate in a verbal exchange
–  German and English: to understand a text
–  German or English: to write a text

Benefits of studying this minor.
The minor includes excursions to centres of expertise, research institutions, workshops and museum exhibitions. Lectures and talks with external experts from materials science, design and artistic production are also planned. You will learn about innovative approaches and activity fields of material production and processing, and have an opportunity to make initial contacts in the professional field. 

The “Materials – basic” minor provides the basis for the “Materials – advanced” minor and may be undertaken consecutively. Students combining both the “Materials – basic” and the “Materials – advanced” minors will gain a deeper understanding of materials, their origins, and their cycles.

Time structure.
The minor takes place as a full-day course in the minor weeks in week 2 to 4 and week 8 to 10 and continues on Friday afternoons during the semester.

→ Semester dates ZHdK
→ More information about this minor (PDF download)

At ZHdK, students choose a Major. In addition to this core subject, they can choose one or two Minors to deepen or expand their major skills and knowledge across various disciplines. This wide choice of courses is unique in Europe and enables students to develop and sharpen their individual profile.