How to read an image live? A topic for doctoral student Lukáš Kellner

What does live broadcast technology offer contemporary art? Lukáš Kellner, a doctoral student at the Sutnar Faculty at UWB, explores the relationship between video art, sports broadcasts, and new media. He discusses his dissertation topic and his experience in doctoral studies.

Sports broadcasts, streaming platforms, or video art. As part of his doctoral studies at the Ladislav Sutnar Faculty of Design and Art of the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen, Lukáš Kellner explores how these worlds influence one another, where their principles intersect, and what meanings can be read within them. As he said in an interview for INFO.zcu, in his dissertation project titled Art Live: Live Broadcast in Art, he focuses on the possibilities of using live broadcast technologies in contemporary artistic creation.

Lukáš, why did you choose this particular topic?

It stems from both my personal fascination and my professional experience creating live broadcasts. During live filming, you need to stay alert, react to changing situations as they happen, and keep in mind that the output I deliver, whether as a cameraman or director, should be comprehensible. All these thoughts were further accelerated during the coronavirus pandemic. Suddenly, we had live broadcasts of all kinds of human activities. Another phase that motivated me was the period after the pandemic. Most people jumped straight back into the real world, but I perceived the potential of live broadcasts even more intensely, especially in contrast with my favorite topics – sport and art. So when the opportunity for doctoral studies came up, there was nothing to think about. I approached Associate Professor Jaroslav Vančát to ask if he would be my supervisor. Thanks to his fascination with semiotics, image reading, and other digital forms, we agreed, and the committee approved the topic as well.

What kind of support does the Sutnar Faculty provide you with?

The best! (laughs) And I'm not saying that just because I work and study here. I'm saying it because I've been working and studying here for more than 20 years now, so I know the place inside out. That's obviously a huge advantage, knowing the environment and everything connected with it perfectly. It means I can focus on what I need, I know where everything is, who to talk to about what, and where to ask. I'm biased, but in the best sense of the word.

Part of doctoral studies also includes a study placement abroad. Where did you go, and besides professional knowledge, did this experience bring you anything else?

I completed my placement in Tono Čierný's studio at the Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava. I already knew the environment, having done a placement there once before, also with Tono, but in the Sculpture studio. We dusted off old contacts, and I also met other professionals from various fields while I was there. Thanks to our geographical and historical closeness, everything is easier. So, for my rather complex topic, I was able to make significant use of the linguistic closeness between Czech and Slovak.

Is your work on view anywhere?

Almost everywhere in Pilsen. Apart from projects within the university, I work with many organizations – from the J. K. Tyl Theatre, through cooperation with DEPO2015, the Culture Department of the Pilsen City Council, HC Plzeň, the Viktorka football club, and the West Bohemian Museum, to the National Heritage Institute or Czech Television.

What should an applicant for doctoral studies have thought through before submitting their application?

For me, it's having a topic that you're holding in your hands and that genuinely interests you. Also, be prepared for the fact that this kind of study is really different from a bachelor's or master's degree. It took me almost two years to adjust my thinking to a different model. It's good to explore the terrain in terms of academic discussion and research, because it can very easily happen that what you want to address has already been described by someone else, the academic community already knows about it, and then it's hard to find your own unique insight or even your research questions.

The Ladislav Sutnar Faculty of Design and Art of the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen offers a doctoral program in Interdisciplinary Research through Visual Artistic Creation. This three-year full-time program offers a unique combination of artistic creation and scientific research. It is designed both for artists who want to reflect more deeply on their work and for researchers who verify their research through their own creative work.