The Image and the Political Imaginary (Fall 2026)

Imagination and the imaginary share their etymological roots with the image. Imagination has often been understood as the individual capacity to form mental images, while the political imaginary refers to the collective frameworks through which political subjects, ideologies, practices and possible futures become thinkable.

This three-day intensive course examines the relationship between images and political imaginaries through lectures, collective readings, discussion and practical image-making. Participants will encounter key theories of the political imaginary, develop their practices through a series of exercises and explore how their work relates to contemporary political imaginaries.

The course welcomes an expanded range of image practices, including drawing, photography, moving image, sculpture, social sculpture, performance and spatial practices.

Practical information

Language: English
Number of participants: 30
Credits: No ECTS credits will be awarded.

The course is open to students at HDK-Valand Academy of Art and Design in Gothenburg and Kungl. Konsthögskolan in Stockholm. Participation is free. CAPIm will cover travel and accommodation for participating students from HDK-Valand.

Admission is based on a letter of motivation.

Application

Please submit a statement of no more than 200 words describing how your practice relates to images, image-making and/or the political imaginary.

Send your application to michele.masucci@kkh.se by 21 September 2026.

Learn more about CAPIm at www.capim.se.