LARGE is a department dedicated to the support and development of artistic investigations at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague, as well as a reflection on the nature of such inquiries. Is aim is to explore what it means to investigate not about art but through and in art: how this investigation can be carried out, how it can produce knowledge and in what relationship this knowledge finds itself to other disciplines, and to a broader social context. As such, LARGE is focused on interrogating the specificities of research conducted through artistic practice and thinking: its methods, its possible systems of evaluation and presentation, as well as the contradictions inherent in the process. Taking seriously the idea that artistic research must often produce not only its content but also its form, methods and sharing practices, LARGE places particular focus on the exploration of art specific presentation formats in research.
The activities of LARGE include, in addition to courses, seminars and guest lectures: organising the international conference A 12-hour (Performative) Reflection on Artistic Research, taking place yearly at AVU since 2022; publications (such as the upcoming periodical Velké: Journal for Artistic Investigation, whose pilot issue was launched in 2024, and the upcoming Handbook of Artistic Investigation, due to be published in November 2026); methodological documents, such as the “Principles for Evaluating Artistic Doctorates at AVU”, as well as a series of interdisciplinary performative presentations bringing together artists and scientists under the title Rendezvous Problem: Formulations on the Possible Ways for Art and Science to Meet.
is grounded in artistic practice and is rooted in the unique character of art
seeks to achieve both disciplinary depth and interdisciplinary breadth
contributes significantly to professional artistic practice.
to interrogate the ways in which research can be an integral part of artistic practice and artistic practice a key component of research,
to contribute to conceptualising methodological tools for a better integration of artistic doctorates in an academic environment through studies on methodologies and evaluation criteria, both within AVU and at the levels of national academic and governmental bodies,
to develop platforms for exploring interdisciplinarity in artistic research, both nationally and internationally,
to improve the academic standing of artistic research at AVU through courses, events and publications,
to support artistic doctorates and their supervision through consultations and workshops,
to contribute to a better integration of AVU artistic research outcomes in an international context through publications and events,
to promote and implement the Research Catalogue platform.
LARGE activities and projects include, in addition to courses and seminars: organising the international conference A 12-hour (Performative) Reflection on Artistic Research, taking place yearly at AVU since 2022; publications (such as the periodical Velké Journal for Artistic Investigation, launched in 2024 and the upcoming Handbook of Artistic Investigation, due to be published at the end 2025); methodological documents, such as the “Principles for Evaluating Artistic Doctorates at AVU”, as well as a series of interdisciplinary performative presentations bringing together artists and scientists under the title Rendezvous Problem: Formulations on the Possible Ways for Art and Science to Meet.
LARGE was initiated as a project focused on artistic research by the Vice-Rectorate for Art and Research of the Academy of Fine Arts Prague in 2022. Beginning with 2024 it was established as a new department for artistic research.