Study programme

Sculpture/Materiality and Space

Part of the 'Diplom' course Plastic Arts in the Art Faculty

Focuses of this course of study

The starting point of the artistic approach is working with metal while retaining a large degree of openness for other materials and media. The aim is to find out which approaches, materials and techniques correspond to the individual as a person and to the piece in question, and how the artist’s inner images can take shape. At the core of teaching is the acquisition of various techniques (welding, forgery, enamelling, girdlering, and an introduction to other sculpture techniques such as stucco, moulding, etc.), individual artistic guidance, observation of and reflection upon the work produced within the group, and joint observation and questioning of art as a whole

Prerequisites

General qualification for university entrance, and artistic suitability. No specialist prior technical and craft skills are required. Exceptions: The general qualification for university entrance can be waived in cases of exceptional talent combined with professional experience.

Degree

Diplom degree in Fine Arts

The priority is that every student should develop his or her own artistic language and work. In addition, we develop site-specific installations and sculptures for public space, organise exhibitions, and go on excursions to view art (see „News and events“ and „Student works and projects“). 

Depending on demand, the introduction to various metalworking techniques takes places more or less on a continuous basis (see „Equipment and workshops“).

Metal workshop

Metalwork facilities with vices, straightening plate, creasing (1m), small bending roller, lathe, guillotine shears. Various techniques for working with sheet metal such as driving and drawing. There is a large circular metal-cutting saw for cutting material. All the standard welding processes can the carried out: gas-shielded arc welding, MIG/MAG, WIG (also Alu), electrode welding, gas welding, point welding. Cutting techniques: flame cutting, plasma cutting.

Forge / workshop for steelworking

Fully equipped workshop with two forges and anvils and a 60 kg pneumatic hammer for working with solid material of up to 60 mm in diameter. The covered outdoor workspace in the courtyard has a slewing crane (1 t) for the production of sculptures of up to 3.50 m in height. Gas-shielded arc welding (MIG/MAG, WIG), electrode welding and gas welding can be carried out in the workshop. An electrical universal bending roller is available for bending a wide range of metal profiles and pipes (up to 70 mm in diameter).

Enamel workshop

The enamel workshop is located across from Burg Giebichenstein, in the basement of the ‘Weißes Haus’. Using and working with enamel has a long tradition at Burg Giebichenstein, and we still offer the opportunity to work with enamel – something that is becoming increasingly rare. There are workplaces for a maximum of six students in our workshop. Two different materials are available to us for enamelling. The first is decorative enamel, which can be worked using traditional techniques e.g. cloisonné or champlevé, mainly on copper; the second is industrial enamel on sheet steel, which offers a wide variety of processing means. In our workshop, enamelling can be carried out on surfaces and on sculptural forms. The preparatory metalwork can be carried out in cooperation with our metal workshop.

Head of workshop: Mario Schott

Prerequisites

General qualification for university entrance, and artistic suitability. No specialist prior technical and craft skills are required; however, students should be willing to go through their everyday lives – and also through museums and libraries – with their senses alert. Exceptions: The general qualification for university entrance can be waived in cases of exceptional talent combined with professional experience.

Study Information Day

The university holds a Study Information Day in January every year for applicants. General information on the university is provided, and the various disciplines showcase themselves. You will be able to talk to students and to assistants. The precise date is announced on our website by mid-December at the latest.

Annual exhibition

The traditional summer festival, which includes the annual exhibition, is held every year in July at Burg Giebichenstein. The university opens up its studios, seminar facilities and workshops to all who are curious about the fresh ideas, objects and pieces of art that have been created in the various art and design disciplines at the state of Saxony-Anhalt's art university. You are cordially invited to come along!

  • CONTACT UNIVERSITY

  • Office for students and 
    academic affairs
    T +49 (0)345-7751 532
    F +49 (0)345-7751 517
    ed.ellah-grub@ofniduts
  • degree

  • Diplom degree in Fine Arts
  • Start of study

  • Winter semester, new students 
    per year: 2-6
  • STANDARD PERIOD OF STUDY

  • Basic study programme: 4 semesters,
    Main study programme: 6 semesters (including diploma thesis)
    Diploma thesis: written and practical work, diploma colloquium
  • tuition

  • tuition-free
  • Application

  • Information for prospective students
    Application