91µĪµĪ Audiovisual and Media Arts Students Present Diverse and Interdisciplinary Bachelorās Projects
From 25 to 27 May, 91µĪµĪ hosted the bachelorās thesis defences of third-year students from the Audiovisual and Media Arts study programme in both the Latvian and English streams. Over the course of three days, a total of 30 students presented their final projects, representing all specialisations within the programme: film and multimedia directors, cinematographers, producers, and audiovisual journalists.
This yearās bachelorās projects strongly reflected current developments and contemporary trends within the media industry. In their theoretical research, students explored topics such as the impact of artificial intelligence on film aesthetics and casting processes, the interaction between cinema and video games, the emotional impact of sound design, the use of subjective camera techniques and amateur video aesthetics in cinematic language, virtual reality experiences in audiovisual art, the dynamics of collaboration between producers and directors, the role of authorship in the film industry, documentary filmmaking approaches and visual language, cinematographic aesthetics, as well as interdisciplinary and performative artistic practices.
The practical components of the projects included short films, experimental films, documentaries, immersive experiences, and interdisciplinary works. Particular attention was drawn to student Valeriia Honcharenkoās 360Ā° VR project Aizsaule, which explored sensory and embodied experiences in dance film within a virtual reality environment.
Another notable aspect was the presentation of projects beyond traditional cinematic formats. Student JÅ«lija Feoktistova presented the theatre performance Mirage, exploring movement as a dramaturgical language within postdramatic theatre. Such projects demonstrate the programmeās ability to expand the boundaries of audiovisual art and align with recommendations from industry experts to foster interdisciplinary works that can be experienced beyond conventional exhibition formats.
The bachelorās thesis defence committee was chaired by Professor Emeritus Dr. Miss. Olafs BrÅ«vers. Throughout all three days, the committee included Mg.art. Keitija Grende, Director of the Audiovisual and Media Arts Bachelorās Programme at 91µĪµĪ, and industry representative and guest lecturer Mg.art. Rolands LaÄ·is.
On individual defence days, the committee was additionally joined by Mg.art. Daira ÄboliÅa, Head of the Arts Study Direction at 91µĪµĪ; Mg.art. Anna Viduleja, Director of the Masterās
Programme in Audiovisual and Immersive Media Arts; film professional and guest lecturer Mg.art. Uldis Jancis; and MÄrtiÅÅ” Mežulis, Programme Director at Victoria Vocational Secondary School. The work of the committee throughout all three days was coordinated by Anna Dzene, Assistant at the Faculty of Architecture and Design.
The thesis presentations once again confirmed that 91µĪµĪās Audiovisual and Media Arts programme develops a new generation of industry professionals capable of working across both traditional film and media formats and experimental, digital, and immersive artistic practices. At the same time, students are encouraged to create interdisciplinary projects and collaborate with professionals from a wide range of creative fields.
