How to connect in between disciplines?


My art is grounded in the belief of a universal energy which runs through everything: from insects to human, from human to spectre, from spectre to plant, from plant to galaxy. (Ana Mendieta, 1983)

As a child I loved drawing, singing and acting. Art shaped my world because I felt that it connected me to others and gave me a sense of belonging.

But when I entered the art academy I was disappointed to discover the separation of disciplines and its students. There even seemed to be a hierarchy: one art better than the other. This felt like a loss of opportunities to me.

"We need bridges to connect!", I thought and asked myself how to initiate this.

I discovered that interdisciplinarity needs two things:
1. A good reason! This means a question, vision or task that speaks deeply to people and activates their engagement.
2. A common space and language that allows a barrier free communication, to share talents and participate freely.
I started to explore this venture with my artist friend ︎︎︎Katrin Funcke at the art academy, our playing field of creativity at that time. 

We invented "Pony & Kleid", a fashion collection and public show inspired by habitats like woods, cities or mountains.
Pony & Kleid, fashion project by Katrin Funcke and Stephanie Guse, Hochschule für Bildende Künste Braunschweig, 1994
This was followed by "MS München 24", a filmed role play in cruise ship scenery.


MS München 24, interdisciplinary project by Katrin Funcke and Stephanie Guse, Hochschule für Bildende Künste Braunschweig - Film by Wolf Bosse, 1995

Both projects required various skills like design, scenery, storytelling, illustration, filming, photography, post-production, printing, and of course students and teachers that join as actors and models. We asked student fellows of all disciplines for that and it turned out that everybody loved to share their skills for this joint purpose. The communication was mainly based on visuals. This was natural to everyone on the art campus, it became our common language.

We accomplished these projects very successfully and the public presentations were crowded by excited students and teachers of all disciplines. It raised the campus feeling, inspired acceptance, acknowledgement, friendships, and cooperation. 

Some years later I visited the ︎︎︎laboratory of my scientist sister Annika Guse who is a passionate and successful researcher of biological symbiosis. She asked me to imply arts on her team to encourage the group spirit and out-of-the box thinking because her research affords a fruitful group effort.

This was a special moment to me because unitl then I was not particularily interest

Her team was puzzled and suspicious when we asked them to take brushes and big papers to draw their research topics. But then, after two hours, the atmosphere was vibrant. Everybody had fun and was eager to contribute.


Accompanied by vital discussions we combined the pictures on the wall to share an overview. Now I was the one who was surprised. This was the moment I started to understand what biological symbiosis means and the tremendous impact it has. Not only in biology! I realised that this principle might be beneficial to other fields like living together in society, architecture or general problem solving.

Thus, I defined and implied this visualising method on a regular basis at University to help students and researchers communicating and developing their issues. I call this method ︎︎︎"Thinking Hands".

In 2022 me and my sister started an initiative called ︎︎︎"¡vamos, simbiosis!". It responds to the UN goal on healthy oceans and brings together scientists, artists and society to reconnect to the marine world and initiate a sustainable (symbiotic) life style. The pilot project took place in Águilas, a Spanish coastal town on the Mediterranean. It generated awareness, ideas and art pieces to communicate the deep bond between men and sea.

Encouraged by these experiences I envision to involve people by further projects. I believe solving world’s challenges is a matter of cooperation and provides a meaningful and happy life.




Education

2015
PhD in Art Philosophy, University of Applied Arts Vienna, Austria
Dissertation: “Thinking Hands – A Social Design Approach”
Mentor: Prof. Dr. Marion Elias

2001
MSc / Diploma in Fine Arts
Staatliche Hochschule für Bildende Künste (Städelschule), Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Mentors: Prof. Heimo Zobernig & Prof. Georg Herold

1996 - 1998
Diplom studies in Fine Arts
Hochschule für Bildende Künste, Braunschweig, Germany
Mentor: Prof. Johannes Brus

1992 - 1998
MSc / Diploma in Graphic Design
Hochschule für Bildende Künste, Braunschweig, Germany

1994 - 1995
Co-initiator of interdisciplinary projects (Pony & Kleid an MS München 24)
involving students and teachers of the Hochschule für Bildende Künste, Braunschweig, Germany
(with Katrin Funcke)



Grants / Awards

2020
Project related scholarship for the play „Yellow Air“,
Kunstsektion BKA (art and culture) / Austria- Vienna, Austria

2017
Nominated, Falling Walls LAB:
“Breaking the Wall of Science Communication”
Jülich, Germany

2008
Recipient, Catalog Grant (Kulturförderungen), City of Vienna, Austria

2004
Recipient, Catalog Grant (Katalogförderung),
Bavarian State Ministry of Education, Science, Research,
and the Arts, Munich, Germany

Fellowship (Barkenhoffstipendium),
Artist-in-Residence Program of Lower Saxony,
Künstlerhäuser Worpswede, Germany

1999 - 2000
Erasmus Fellowship,
National College of Art and Design, Dublin

1996
Selected Painter-in-Residence,
Official Marine Painter Program (“Marinemaler”),
Bundeswehr Deutschland (German Navy) on the Frigate Karlsruhe F212,
North Sea, Germany to United Kingdom
Frigate Karlsruhe 1996

Frigate Karlsruhe, 1996
Activities

2021
Co-founder of ¡vamos,simbiosis!
(Annika Guse)

2021
Developement of the Symbiosis Studio
(with Michael Lehner and Andreas Bergmann)

Since 2014
Thinking Hands Workshops at Heidelberg University and Ludwig-Maximilians-Univeristy Munich, Germany
(with Katrin Funcke, Kristina Heldmann and Stefan Michaelsen)


Memberships

2012 - 2016
Experts Cluster for Design Research, National Union Design Austria

2012 - 2015
PhD Candidate Representative
Doctorate Curriculum Commission for Technical Science and Natural Science
University of Applied Arts Vienna

2008 - 2020
Founder, illustration symposium,
Künstlerhaus Schloß Wiepersdorf (7 participants)
and co-founder of the BETTINE art collective

2001 - 2015
Board member, Neuer Kunstverein Aschaffenburg, Germany


Lectures, workshops and talks

Since 2011
Konferenz der Zukünfte, Berlin, University of Applied Arts Vienna, Heidelberg University, Fachhochschule Salzburg, Designforum Vienna, Fashion Academy Düsseldorf (AMD), Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich (LMU)


Exhibitions
2023
Let the music play, Galerie Z22, Berlin with L. Rudolph and K. von Schwerin

2022
Graz Wechsel Wien, Kunsthalle Graz with A. Lenz, M. Mohammadi, M. Stoisse, S. Waibel, T. Hermeling

2020
Cross-Over, Galerie GPL Contemporary, Wien with S. Adler, Chr. L. Attersee, J. Beuys, Die 4 Grazien, T. Deuringer - Kösler, R. Dürr, N. Devil, M. Endlicher, H. Gfader, B. Korsig, O. Mühl, H. Nitsch, J. Paas, N. Pümpel, Chr. Stock

2019
Yellow Fress – Künstler, Krisen, Katastrophen, Galerie Z22, Berlin with D. Benvenuto, Joax, Z. Johnson, P. Schlangembader, K. Schneider
Show must go on, Galerie GPLcontemporary, Wien with R. Dürr, M. Endlicher, Die 4 Grazien, T. Hardikov, R. Kodritsch, B. Höller, B. Korsig, H. Nitsch, J. Paas, N. Passath, A. Stangl, Ch. Stock, Tomak, M. Wagnest, A. Werzowa, R. Wölzl
Wiener Kunst und Antiquitätenmesse (WIKAM) mit Galerie GPLcontemporary, Wien GUSE, Präsentation der Publikation GUSE im Rahmen von Bank Austria Salon, Altes Rathaus Wien (E)(K)

2018
Studio Visit No 2, mit den 4 Grazien, Atelierausstellung, Wien Gold, POP_Der_Laden, Berlin (Single)
From Alexa with Love, Verein Symposium Lindabrunn with A. Babiychuk, M. C. Bachinger, G. Burger, E. Farina , S. Goscinski, M. Landler, S. Lesch, D. Nguyen, C. Obersteiner, Ch. Peschek Studio Visit No 1, Atelierausstellung Wien with Susanna Schwarz

2015
Idol+, Rathausgalerie München with B. Blauth, 4 Grazien, M. Lassnig, Sh. Neshat u. a.
Danube Dialogues, Bel Art Galleri, Novi Sad, Serbia (Publication) with R. Edelmann, U. Königshofer, B. Lang, K. H. Ströhle u. a.

2014
Idol+, Künstlerhaus Wien (Publication) with B. Blauth, D. Bäumer, 4 Grazien, M. Lassnig, Sh. Neshat, Ch. Spatt u. a.
Salon 69, Basement, Wien with P. Baumüller u. a.
Das Eine, mo.ë, Wien with Ch. Spatt, 4 Grazien u. a.

2011
Willhaben: Adele, Galerie Filip Rosbach, Leipzig (Single) Sissi, Adele und die Famile der Künstlerin, Galerie Mitte Bremen (Single) Krisen und Utopien, Neuer Kunstverein Wuppertal (Single)
Usia, Artlodge-Gallery, Kärnten (Single)
Das ist der Humor davon, Kunstverein Perchtoldsdorf with Ralf Edelmann

2010
Contemporary Istanbul, Galerie Michaela Stock mit Ralf Edelmann
Finde siècle … , Institut für Germanistik, Wien (Single)
Finde siècle! – Den ländlichen Sonnenschein verwursten, Galerie Michaela Stock, Wien with Karin Sulimma
Illustrationen. Frauen in Wiepersdorf, Künstlerhaus Schloß Wiepersdorf
Hartzreise, Galerie Baal, Bielefeld with Ralf Edelmann
Summer Stage Wien, Open art an der Rossauer Lände

2009
BS-Visite, Rebenpark, Braunschweig with R. Edelmann, A. Gehlen, H. Kater, H. M. Mahler u. a.
Lehmbruck-Werkstatt, Lehmbruckmuseum Duisburg (Katalog) with M. Benz, F. Burkhardt, R. Edelmann, C. E. Wolff u.a.
Wahlverwandtschaften-regenerated, Galerie Michaela Stock, Wien with S. Groschup, C. M. Luenig u. a. (Publication)
Bettine von Arnim: Die Welt umwälzen, Freies Deutsches Hochstift/Frankfurter Goethe-Haus, Frankfurt a. Main with BETTINE (Publication)
Bettine von Arnim: Die Welt umwälzen, Künstlerhaus Schloß Wiepersdorf with BETTINE (Publication)

2008
Starring Stephanie Guse, Galerie Michaela Stock, Wien (Publication) (Single) Best before …, Stadtgalerie Klagenfurt with R. Edelmann, W. Eul, H. Kotter, H. Weber u. a. (Publication)

2007
Trash to Treasure, Henrike Höhn Galerie, Berlin (Single)
It’s cold outside, Galerie Stock, Wien with Ch. Spatt u.a. (Publication)
Erblätterte Identitäten: Mode-Kunst-Zeitschrift, Hochschule f. Grafik u. Buchkunst Leipzig with T. Bara, M. Hahnenkamp, G. Trinkaus u. a. (Publication) 
Best before …, Neuer Kunstverein Aschaffenburg with W. Eul, H. Kotter, H. Weber u. a. (Publication)
Paulas Kinder, Kunsthalle Bremen und Kultur- und Bildungszentrum (KuBo), Bremen with R. Tekaat u. a. (Publication)

2006
Erblätterte Identitäten: Mode – Kunst – Zeitschrift, Stadthaus Ulm with T. Bara, M. Hahnenkamp, G. Trinkaus u. a. (Publication)

2004
for your eyes only, Neuer Kunstverein Aschaffenburg (Publication) (Single)
USIA, Projektraum Künstlerhaus I, Worpswede (Single)
Sauber, Projektraum Künstlerhaus I, Worpswede

2003
Selbst, Marburger Kunstverein with F. Becker, A. Goldmann, C. Wruck u. a., Marburger Kunstverein (Publication)

2000
Noch schöner, Fahrradhalle, Offenbach a. Main (Single)
Kreuze und Humor, Fluxeum Wiesbaden with G. Hendricks, V. Kutscher, T. Ulrichs, K. Staeck, D. Spoerri u. a. (Publication)

1999
Mailand oder Madrid – Hauptsache Italien, Deutsche Bahn Aschaffenburg

1997
MS München 24 – The Movie, Deutsch-Italienisches Filmfest Tarent, Italien 

1995 MS München 24, Studiogalerie Braunschweig (Publication + Film) with Katrin Funcke

1994
Pony & Kleid, Studiogalerie Braunschweig with Katrin Funcke


Publications

Guse, A., Guse, S., ¡vamos symbiosis!, Symbiose zwischen Mensch und Meer, in Alexandria – Dein Magazin für Wissenschaft, Vienna, 2021, p. 40-43

Guse, A., Guse, S., Jaspert, N.: The Blue Orange, in English, German and Spanish, Heidelberg University, 2021

Guse, S., Horn, E., Marschalek, P.: Stephanie Guse, Kunstverlag Wolfrum, Vienna, (ISBN 978-3-900178-33-8), 2018

Guse, S. et al, Thinking Hands – Schön ist zu verstehen, in: Aisthesis – Ästhetik zur Meßbarkeit einer Sensation, Volume I, Marion Elias (Hrsg.), Eigenverlag Angewandte, Wien, 2017, p. 149-159, (ISBN: 978-3950432305)

Guse, S., Thinking Hands – A Social Design Approach, Dissertation of philosophy at the University of Applied Arts Vienna, 2015, 170 pp.

Guse, S.: Thinking Hands – Für Co-Design & Co, in: Design Austria Mitteilungen, Volume 2015, No 1, 12 & 13 pp.

Guse, S. et al.: Danube Dialogues, Festival of Contemporary Art, Novi Sad, 2015, 37, 38 & 42 pp. (ISBN 978-86-89277-20-3)

Guse, S.: Von Hand zu Hand denken – Kollaboration durch Zeichnung im Social Design, in: Joseph Binder Symposium, Reader, 2014, 9 & 10 pp.

Guse, S. et al.: Idol+, Prähistorische und zeitgenössische Frauenbilder, Künstlerhaus Wien, Austria, 2014, 11 & 12 pp.


Prahl, P.: Starring Stephanie Guse, ed. Galerie Michaela Stock, 2008

Guse, S. et al.: Monat der Fotografie Wien 2008, ed. Vladimir und Estragon, Wien, 2008, 102 & 103 pp. (ISBN 978-3-902675-11-8)


Hermel, E., Roth, D., Hinrichs, S., Gödde, A., von Wedemeyer, A., Stücke, A., Cohen, B., Guse, S., Becker, M., Guntzel, S., Scheibe, J., Tekaat, R., & Wolff, N.: paulaskinder: Paula Moderson-Becker im Blick zeitgenössischer Kunstproduktion, ed. Kultur- und Bildungsverein Ostertor, 2007, 32-35 pp. (ISBN 3-936 951-09-8)

Guse, S. et al., Erblätterte Identitäten: Mode-Kunst-Zeitschrift, eds. Ahr, K, Holschbach, S., & Krause-Wahl, A., Condé Nast Verlag, 2007, 144 pp. (ISBN-13: 978-3894453763)


Claus, E., Dannenberg, U., Eul, W. Guse, S., Iwan, A., Koch, J., Kotter, H., Nitsche, M., Rasche, S., Reiß, B., Weber, H.: best before …, 2007, ed. Neuer Kunstverein Aschaffenburg


Dannenberg, U., Edelmann, R., Eul, W. Guse, S., Koch, J., Kotter, H., Nitsche, Obernosterer, B., M., Weber, H.: best before …, 2009, ed. Stadtgalerie Klagenfurt

Funcke, K., Heldmann, K., Helmbold, U., Hollstein, S., Michaelsen, S., Guse, S.: Illustrationen, in: Mut & Anmut, ed. Künstlerhaus Schloß Wiepersdorf, Germany, 2010, 34 – 47 pp.

Guse, S., Bettine von Arnim: Die Welt umwälzen, ed. Frankfurter Goethe-Haus, Freies Deutsches Hochstift, Frankfurt am Main, 2009, 128 pp. (ISBN-13: 978-3981110975)


Drühl, S., Guse, S.: Stephanie Guse, 2004, ed. Neuer Kunstverein Aschaffenburg

Funcke, K., Guse, S., Sundermeier J.: MS München 24 – Hochseegefühle, Die Reiselektüre als Inspiration zum Spiel, ed. Braunschweig University of Arts, 1995, illustriert von Katrin Funcke

Funcke, K., Guse, S.: MS München 24, in: Designbuch, ed. Braunschweig University of Arts, 1997, 85 pp. (ISBN 3-930292-04-1)