{"id":4279,"date":"2024-02-12T15:24:55","date_gmt":"2024-02-12T15:24:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/wearewestminster\/?p=4279"},"modified":"2024-04-25T17:08:57","modified_gmt":"2024-04-25T17:08:57","slug":"expanded-photography-ma-qa-with-course-leader-paula-gortazar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/wearewestminster\/expanded-photography-ma-qa-with-course-leader-paula-gortazar\/","title":{"rendered":"Expanded Photography MA \u2013 Q&A with academic, Paula Gort\u00e1zar"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Photographic education at Westminster boasts a unique and distinguished history. Building upon this rich legacy, the Expanded Photography MA<\/strong> <\/a>has been designed to address the ongoing demand for innovative and adaptable graduates. Against the backdrop of a rapidly evolving visual landscape and a globalised world, and with a dedicated focus on exploring new and emerging practices in networked imagery, this course redefines the boundaries of contemporary photography.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We spoke with Paula Gort\u00e1zar, who worked as part of the team to develop the Expanded Photography MA, about her impressive professional and academic experience and the new course.\u202f\u202f<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Can you tell us a bit more about yourself? <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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I am a photography researcher and visual artist, actively involved as a founding member of the Expanded Photography research group<\/strong><\/a> at Westminster. Through this group, I have developed various research projects and initiatives, notably organising our upcoming international conference, ‘Photography in Virtual Culture,’<\/em> scheduled for later this year. Additionally, I am involved in academic publishing as a member of the editorial board for the journal Fotocinema <\/em>and contribute as an independent writer for various photography publications, such as C4 Journal<\/em> and Source Photographic Review<\/em>.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to my research activities, I am currently teaching on the Expanded Photography MA<\/strong> <\/a>, as well as our two BA courses in Photography<\/a> <\/strong>and Fashion Photography<\/strong><\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Can you tell us about your area\/s of expertise or interest? <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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Both my art and research practice investigate recent developments in AI systems and expanded reality technologies. I am particularly interested in how these technologies are exponentially changing the possibilities in which photographic images might be created and used within, and beyond, virtual space.\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Paula Gort\u00e1zar \u2013 Common Space (2011), C-type Photographic Print<\/sub><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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As a professional and academic working within the photographic image industries, what have been some of your career highlights?<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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Over the past decade, my career has been marked by numerous highlights within both the professional and academic spaces of the photographic image industries. Notably, my artwork has been exhibited across the world in the UK, USA, Canada, Spain, Germany, and Lithuania, in venues such as The Photographers\u2019 Gallery in London, Tabacalera in Madrid, and a <\/strong>solo exhibition, Unchartered Territory<\/em>, <\/a><\/strong>at Bildkultur Galerie in Stuttgart. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the academic front, my research has been published in several reputable academic journals such as Photography and Culture,<\/em> Third Text,<\/em> and Photographies<\/em>. Furthermore, I have had the privilege of presenting my research at multiple international conferences worldwide.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n