Theo Verden
Profession
MRes Art: Theory and Philosophy student
College
Central Saint Martins
Person Type
Student
Biography
Theo Verden is a second-year MRes Art: Theory and Philosophy student at Central Saint Martins. His research explores continental philosophy, art theory and the role of artistic practice within contemporary cultural systems.
Interview
Please can you tell me a little bit about yourself.
My name is Theo Verden. I am from London and I am in my second and final year. Prior to CSM, I studied a joint honours in History of Art and International Relations at the University of St Andrews.
Why did you choose to study your course and why CSM?
I enjoy engaging in untethered discussions – ones that have no obvious end goal, applicability or monetary value. Before coming to CSM, I had the amazing opportunity to do a creative residency in Penang, Malaysia. During this time, I worked with a close friend, Michelle, who introduced me to some continental philosophy to provide a theoretical basis for my exhibition. Specifically, she introduced me to Deleuze and Guattari, Mark Fisher and the CCRU, Guy Debord and the Situationists, and a number of indie YouTube video essay creators.
I realised that, before even considering going into the big ‘A’ Art World, I should explore the theory of art. Having done so, I do not think I want to join the big ‘A’ Art World after all. This is only one configuration of what art can be. What I have realised, however, is that artists are important, and whether knowingly or not, they are constantly engaging in a very contingent, historical and productive act.
What’s the most interesting project you’ve worked on so far? What made it so interesting to work on?
Whilst on the course, we organised collaborative exhibitions using external gallery spaces available to CSM students. My class thought this was an opportunity to acquire gallery time in London – a hot commodity – for free. We put in a proposal to use the Good Rice space near Euston, an old Italian bakery. We organised an exhibition involving roughly 12 artists and a handful of curators. It was about rice.
It was my first experience of being involved in a truly collaborative exhibition and, though there were difficulties, it was such a rewarding experience. Our opening was well attended, and we even had a talk from an external speaker, filmmaker Bernard Chauly.
It was not part of the course as such, but it was a valuable resource we would not have had access to without being at CSM. Once I graduate, I know that I will appreciate how lucky I was to have had access to gallery space in central London.
Have you completed any work placements / internships whilst being on the course? If so, can you tell me a little bit about your role?
The course is “Extended Full-Time”, although it did leave us with a lot of spare time to have a job and afford living in London. In my first year, I worked at a nightclub called The Cause in the Docklands. Lots of other UAL students and former students worked there or attended events there. It was great for meeting people.
In my second year, I worked as a carer for Custos Care, a private care company in West London that asks carers to have some interest in the arts, since most of the customers and patients are elderly people who have had fascinating creative careers. I met former photographers, painters and authors with a wealth of knowledge about art and literature.
Finally, as I am finishing my dissertation, I have started working for the National Health Service as a Neighbourhood Navigator. It is a holistic role helping vulnerable people navigate and utilise social services, their daily lives and local activities. We run a number of free workshops for locals, including clay workshops, Afro-beats dance classes and nutrition talks.
What important piece of advice would you give to students thinking of studying this course?
Try to read as much continental philosophy as you can prior to starting the course. Although to some extent it is foundational, this course is challenging in a good way, so prepare for it but also make the most of the fluidity it provides.
Christopher Kul-Want is a very well-read, thoughtful and open teacher. If you have ideas, float them to him – he is all ears. Compared to the more didactic and traditional schooling you get at other universities, CSM is open to breaking the rules and pushing boundaries. Do it. Always take advantage of the academic fluidity the course offers – you cannot find it in many other places.
What has been the highlight of your CSM experience so far?
Attending last year’s degree show and seeing how much talent is concentrated in such a small corner of London. I took my mum – she loved it too. Beyond this, some of our school trips to Raven Row Gallery, St Chad’s Projects and the Camden Arts Centre.
What are your career aspirations? Where would you like to be in five years’ time?
I have a few career aspirations at the moment, but I do not wish to spend my life imagining where I will be in five years’ time. I think we need to start with our ideas, actualise them, situate them and then go from there. Hopefully the money to live decently will come after that.
I do not like this question fundamentally, and everything we have been taught on the course about the totalising system we live in, and the way we have internalised that regime, seems to be in contrast with questions about a career.
I just hope I am doing something tangible, morally sound and not too stressful – and have enough money to go to the occasional festival and buy the glamping option.
What is the most important thing you've learnt on the course so far?
I learnt more about the foundations of continental philosophy (i.e. Kant, Hegel, Nietzsche and Spinoza) and how contemporary thinkers continue to undermine, build on, critique and hold dear these ideas.
I learnt about the subtleties and gestures that good writers so readily use. How often naming things, simplifying them, or approaching them head-on can actually kill them. Sometimes, when talking about the void, we need to be wise and avoid the urge to pin it down.
I also learnt that we are imprisoned by language from the moment we are born.