Dean of St Petersburg School of Art and Design Speaks at International Conference in Budapest
Mitya Kharshak, Dean of the School of Art and Design, took part in the conference 'How to Live Together? Everyday Life in Philosophical Concepts' and held a workshop for master's students of the Metropolitan University (METU).
Mitya Kharshak, Dean of the St Petersburg School of Art and Design, presented a report at the international conference at the Metropolitan University (Budapest). The event took place in the framework of academic partnership between Russian and Hungarian universities.
The conference was organised by the Faculty of Art and Creative Industries at the Metropolitan University together with the French Institute in Budapest. Mitya Kharshak participated in a roundtable on the topic of modern art and design education, where he presented projects by HSE University–St Petersburg students.
'The Metropolitan University is the largest non-government university in Hungary and has a very strong faculty of design with about 1,600 students. It is quite a large structure, and for me, it was important to showcase our educational approaches to our colleagues,' shared the Dean of St Petersburg School of Art and Design.
His presentation featured projects by students of the Master's track 'Art Direction for Cultural Institutions.' The works are notable for the fact that all of them have been brought to life. For instance, Antonina Mazepa's idea brought a moving gallery of modern art to the streets of St Petersburg in the transparent back of a truck. The project was carried out in partnership with the Russian electric vehicle manufacturer EVM and the Art Masters gallery.
'The presentation received a very good response as this master's programme is our showpiece. I haven't seen anything like it in terms of the level of student projects in two years, during which I visited three dozen universities—from Latin America to Southeast Asia. Our students truly work—not just develop concepts but organise real-life events: exhibitions, conferences, and educational projects,' underscored Mitya Kharshak.
The Dean of the School of Art and Design also presented the Portfolio digital platform, a comprehensive electronic system where students and professors can publish their projects. It helps to assess professional activity via participation in international contests, the implementation of book projects, exhibitions, and other achievements relevant to designers.
During International Design Week, the dean from HSE University-St Petersburg delivered a two-week intensive workshop titled 'Which Culture Institution Are You?' for master's students of graphic design. The workshop gathered 20 students from various countries, including India, China, and Russia. The classes were held in the form of project work: the participants created their own monograms and trademarks, made stencils, and printed them on textiles. The next part covered the digital environment—the students created a system of visual identity for the chosen cultural institution (festival, museum, theatre, or concert venue). 'I usually teach this course for three or four days; here, we had two. The immersion turned out to be deep and very productive—the students worked very well and offered mature solutions,' commented Mitya Kharshak.
At the close of the trip, representatives of the Metropolitan University expressed an interest in expanding the partnership with HSE University–St Petersburg. The management of the Hungarian university sees cooperation prospects not only in design but also in IT, sociology, and economics.
'I see a very interesting potential for significant cooperation between HSE University and the Metropolitan University. In building long-term inter-university ties, personal communication and meetings play a key role. In this case, it is vital that regardless of boundaries that divide us, we and our colleagues speak one international language of design,' underscored Mitya Kharshak, Dean of the School of Art and Design.
The visit to Budapest was the latest step in an active partnership between HSE University–St Petersburg and Hungarian cultural institutions. HSE has previously carried out a joint project with the Liszt Institute, the cultural representative office of Hungary in Russia. A special issue of the PROJECTOR journal was published devoted to Hungarian posters, and the exhibition 'HUNgarian HUNdred' was held at the New Stage of the Alexandrinsky Theatre with the involvement of the Consul-General of Hungary in St Petersburg.
'For me, it was especially important to meet the stars of the Hungarian issue of my journal in person. I met Kata Kaldor, an amazing graphic designer. In such trips, personal communication with people, leaders of national design schools whom I respect professionally, is of great importance to me,' summed up Mitya Kharshak.