Kursinformation

Lehrinhalte
The seminar „Constructivists, Biocosmists, and the New Human: Technology and Philosophy in Petrograd and Leningrad” is focused on the Soviet period (1914-1991), with special attention to the early years. We will focus on Alexander Bogdanov (science fiction author and systems theorist). His “tektology” prefigures theories of the anthropocene and ecological crisis, his “empiriomonism” provoked Lenin’s “empiriocriticism” – and Red Planet remains to this day an extraordinarily thoughtful and twisted science fiction novel. A second focus will be on Nikolai Bernstein with his work in mathematics, biomechanics, the physiology of motion and theory of labor – and his controversy with Pavlow. Both of Bogdanow and Bernstein allow us to explore interesting connections to the Russian avantgarde, that is, to the poetry of Majakowsky the theater of Meyerhold, the films of Eisenstein, and the constructivism of Malevich, Tatlin and El Lissitzky, and the “new human being” - envisioned also by Trotsky – who is shaped by and becomes part of technological agency. Students can prepare presentations also on other authors and themes.

Further Grading Information
The seminar consists of three planning sessions in Darmstadt  - November 8, December 11, and  February 12 at 4pm. The seminar itself will be held from March 18 (9am) to March 21 (5pm) in St. Petersburg, with travel support available. Students will select a topic and prepare a workshop presentation for general discussion. The seminar itself takes the form of a small German-Russian conference. The language will be English.

Official Course Description
The seminar consists of three planning sessions in Darmstadt  - November 8, December 11, and  February 12 at 4pm. The seminar itself will be held from March 18 (9am) to March 21 (5pm) in St. Petersburg, with travel support available. Students will select a topic and prepare a workshop presentation for general discussion. The seminar itself takes the form of a small German-Russian conference. The language will be English.

The seminar „Constructivists, Biocosmists, and the New Human: Technology and Philosophy in Petrograd and Leningrad” is focused on the Soviet period (1914-1991), with special attention to the early years. We will focus on Alexander Bogdanov (science fiction author and systems theorist). His “tektology” prefigures theories of the anthropocene and ecological crisis, his “empiriomonism” provoked Lenin’s “empiriocriticism” – and Red Planet remains to this day an extraordinarily thoughtful and twisted science fiction novel. A second focus will be on Nikolai Bernstein with his work in mathematics, biomechanics, the physiology of motion and theory of labor – and his controversy with Pavlow. Both of Bogdanow and Bernstein allow us to explore interesting connections to the Russian avantgarde, that is, to the poetry of Majakowsky the theater of Meyerhold, the films of Eisenstein, and the constructivism of Malevich, Tatlin and El Lissitzky, and the “new human being” - envisioned also by Trotsky – who is shaped by and becomes part of technological agency. Students can prepare presentations also on other authors and themes.