Interdisciplinarity and Art

Welcome to the second class of the Versopolis Traineeship, a dynamic initiative dedicated to fostering growth and learning through poetry and other arts. This session, titled Interdisciplinarity and the Arts, offers a unique and insightful journey into the fusion of various artistic disciplines.

Led by poet and scholar Efe Duyan, this video interview and experiential exchange features two extraordinary artists whose work seamlessly integrates opera, poetry, libretto, voice, and music. In a stimulating conversation moderated by Duyan, composer Alex Ho, winner of the FEDORA Opera Prize 2023 for the creation “UNTOLD”, and poet Gaia Ginevra Giorgi come together to discuss their interdisciplinary approaches and the creative processes that define their art.

In collaboration with Versopolis and FEDORA, this class delves into the intersection of artistic disciplines, exploring the rich interplay between music and poetry. Through engaging dialogue and shared experiences, Ho and Giorgi illuminate the unique challenges and exciting possibilities of working across different art forms. They discuss the synthesis of their crafts, revealing how poetry and composition can enrich and transform each other.

The conversation not only highlights the innovative methodologies employed by the artists but also emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in pushing the boundaries of artistic expression. Viewers will gain valuable insights into the creative fusion of words and music, discovering how this synergy can lead to profound and evocative works of art.

As part of this enriching session, we also provide additional resources for those interested in further exploring the interdisciplinary nature of contemporary artistic practices. These resources, available for further reading below the recording, offer a deeper dive into the techniques and philosophies discussed in the class.

Join us in this fascinating exploration of interdisciplinary art, designed to broaden your horizons and deepen your engagement with the transformative power of creative collaboration.

About FEDORA

FEDORA - The European Circle of Philanthropists of Opera and Ballet is a non-profit organisation, founded at the Palais Garnier in Paris in 2013, under the presidency of Jérôme-François Zieseniss. The organisation encourages and supports the next generation of talent to bring innovative opera, dance, education, and digital projects to the stage to inspire tomorrow’s audiences with today’s narratives.

FEDORA pursues its mission through the FEDORA Prizes, today known as the world’s largest competition for innovation in opera and dance, that has supported 75 new artistic co- productions involving over 2,000 artists and creatives.

FEDORA Platform, co-funded by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union, federates a network of over 130 cultural institutions in 28 countries, as well as individual and corporate members and foundations that constitute an interdisciplinary ecosystem to build a more sustainable and inclusive future for opera and dance, accessible to all.

Further Reading:

• Barthes, R. (1975). The Pleasure of the Text. (R. Miller, Trans.). New York: Hill and Wang.
• Brecht, B. (1964). Brecht on Theater. (J. Willett, Trans.) New York: Hill and Wang.
• Condee, W. (2016). The Interdisciplinary Turn in the Arts and Humanities. Issues in Interdisciplinary Studies, 34, 12–29.
• Eoyang, E. (2012). The Promise of Creativity: Why Comparative Literature Matters. New York.
• Frodeman, R., Klein, J. T., & Mitcham, C. (Eds.). (2010). The Oxford Handbook of Interdisciplinarity. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• Pallasmaa, J. (1995). The Eyes of the Skin: Architecture and the Senses.