SCHOOL OF DISOBEDIENCE
a few words
"I find the current art scene fundamentally boring, self-sufficient, and exclusionary, catering only to a closed circle of insiders. Contemporary art, often requiring mediation for its reception through descriptive texts, guided tours, or art education, caters primarily to a privileged segment of society rather than the general public. What's needed is a radical reform of contemporary art—a more sincere, generous, and engaging approach that is accessible to a wider audience. I believe this reform can only occur through a reinvention of art education. The School of Disobedience is an attempt to address this need.
In the School of Disobedience, I encourage participants to break free from the need for validation from the art world and institutions. They are urged to eschew jargon and theoretical references simply because they're expected, to resist market pressures, to create authentically rather than for the sake of fitting trends or open calls. Here, participants are empowered to resist, unlearn, and revolt against conformity. They are encouraged to embrace their true selves, defy self-doubt, fearlessly chart their own paths, and find confidence in their individuality and difference."
—Anna Ádám, Creator of the School of Disobedience
In the School of Disobedience, I encourage participants to break free from the need for validation from the art world and institutions. They are urged to eschew jargon and theoretical references simply because they're expected, to resist market pressures, to create authentically rather than for the sake of fitting trends or open calls. Here, participants are empowered to resist, unlearn, and revolt against conformity. They are encouraged to embrace their true selves, defy self-doubt, fearlessly chart their own paths, and find confidence in their individuality and difference."
—Anna Ádám, Creator of the School of Disobedience
about
Born in Budapest, Hungary, in 1983, I pursued dual academic paths, graduating from both ESSEC Business School (France) in 2007 and the École Nationale Supérieure d'Arts de Paris-Cergy (France) in 2016. A journey through different worlds and words shaped me and my language into the multidisciplinary artist, social entrepreneur, and community activist I am today.
As a multidisciplinary artist, over the past two decades, I've dedicated myself to building spaces, experiences, and communities around the dynamic and multifaceted research topic: differentiation, a quest toward autonomy and independence. Differentiation involves the process by which individuals forge their unique identities, emancipated from the shadows of parental or societal influence. Conflict often emerges during this quest for differentiation and self-realization. My research delves into both the internal and external, individual and collective battles faced during this process. I choreograph individuals grappling to reconcile their innermost desires and convictions with societal expectations or the beliefs of others (e.g., CLASH, Secret Garden, sorry not sorry...). External conflicts may manifest in clashes with authority figures, societal conventions, or relationships where deviation is seen as a threat or subversion (e.g., Right for Fight, UTOPIA/DYSTOPIA). I don't perceive conflict as inherently negative; rather, it's a vital catalyst for growth, empowering us to assert our autonomy, renegotiate boundaries, and carve out our agency. Conflict also serves as a crucible for heightened self-awareness, self-confidence, and resilience, as evidenced in the School of Disobedience community art project. Here, disobedience and differentiation intertwine, fueling a transformative process of self-discovery and empowerment. Through amplified peripheral discourses, marginalized aesthetics, and silenced voices, individuals challenge prevailing power structures and hegemonic norms. By directing disobedience inward, participants learn to defy themselves, challenging old patterns, automatic responses, and societal or familial conditioning. As they disobey low self-confidence and break free from entrenched habits, individuals confront the inner voice that says "you can't do it," asserting their independence and reshaping their identities. This transformative process cultivates a profound sense of resilience, empowering them to navigate conflicts with newfound confidence and determination.
As a woman social entrepreneur, my management philosophy is rooted in non-judgmental and non-oppressive models, prioritizing cooperation over competition. I believe in fostering supportive environments where individuals can thrive and contribute authentically. My journey to financial and artistic emancipation was wrought with closed doors, hollow promises, and relentless competition in a world devoid of genuine action. Disillusioned with institutional constraints, I chose to forge my path, standing firm on my principles and constructing my own sanctuary of beliefs and values. Step into this parallel reality with me at the School of Disobedience!
As a community activist in the field of non-formal education, armed with somatic practices, unlearning methodologies, and critical pedagogy, I aim to cultivate responsibility, foster independence, and empower participants to reclaim their artistic voice and personal aesthetic outside the confines of conventional academia, capitalism, and canonical norms. Radical acceptance and self-liberation serve as the bedrock of my praxis, nurturing a sense of belonging and empowerment among all participants.
As a multidisciplinary artist, over the past two decades, I've dedicated myself to building spaces, experiences, and communities around the dynamic and multifaceted research topic: differentiation, a quest toward autonomy and independence. Differentiation involves the process by which individuals forge their unique identities, emancipated from the shadows of parental or societal influence. Conflict often emerges during this quest for differentiation and self-realization. My research delves into both the internal and external, individual and collective battles faced during this process. I choreograph individuals grappling to reconcile their innermost desires and convictions with societal expectations or the beliefs of others (e.g., CLASH, Secret Garden, sorry not sorry...). External conflicts may manifest in clashes with authority figures, societal conventions, or relationships where deviation is seen as a threat or subversion (e.g., Right for Fight, UTOPIA/DYSTOPIA). I don't perceive conflict as inherently negative; rather, it's a vital catalyst for growth, empowering us to assert our autonomy, renegotiate boundaries, and carve out our agency. Conflict also serves as a crucible for heightened self-awareness, self-confidence, and resilience, as evidenced in the School of Disobedience community art project. Here, disobedience and differentiation intertwine, fueling a transformative process of self-discovery and empowerment. Through amplified peripheral discourses, marginalized aesthetics, and silenced voices, individuals challenge prevailing power structures and hegemonic norms. By directing disobedience inward, participants learn to defy themselves, challenging old patterns, automatic responses, and societal or familial conditioning. As they disobey low self-confidence and break free from entrenched habits, individuals confront the inner voice that says "you can't do it," asserting their independence and reshaping their identities. This transformative process cultivates a profound sense of resilience, empowering them to navigate conflicts with newfound confidence and determination.
As a woman social entrepreneur, my management philosophy is rooted in non-judgmental and non-oppressive models, prioritizing cooperation over competition. I believe in fostering supportive environments where individuals can thrive and contribute authentically. My journey to financial and artistic emancipation was wrought with closed doors, hollow promises, and relentless competition in a world devoid of genuine action. Disillusioned with institutional constraints, I chose to forge my path, standing firm on my principles and constructing my own sanctuary of beliefs and values. Step into this parallel reality with me at the School of Disobedience!
As a community activist in the field of non-formal education, armed with somatic practices, unlearning methodologies, and critical pedagogy, I aim to cultivate responsibility, foster independence, and empower participants to reclaim their artistic voice and personal aesthetic outside the confines of conventional academia, capitalism, and canonical norms. Radical acceptance and self-liberation serve as the bedrock of my praxis, nurturing a sense of belonging and empowerment among all participants.
my methodology
I am honest.
I know how to listen to someone.
I care.
Adding anything else would be bullshit.
I know how to listen to someone.
I care.
Adding anything else would be bullshit.
some guidelines
This school operates within a simple framework characterized by the following principles:
- Non-judgmental: Every comment, question, or idea is welcomed without the imposition of a right or wrong perspective. All thoughts, shared emotions, experiences, and testimonies are considered legitimate and valid as long as they are expressed with care, respect, and sensitivity towards others.
- Non-oppressive: The School of Disobedience collaborates with invited unlearning facilitators to co-design a framework tailored to each workshop. These guidelines are flexible and adaptable, ensuring a supportive and nurturing environment for all participants. Each facilitator's role is to uphold and foster this framework, facilitating a soft and warm atmosphere conducive to growth and exploration. We appreciate your trust and dedication to this process.
- Caring: Let's work together on this: if you typically dominate group conversations or tend to be more outgoing and expressive, let's make an effort to create space for those who may struggle to speak up or need extra time to feel comfortable participating. We want to encourage everyone to share their unique voices, embracing their beauty and subversiveness.
- Listening: While attendance is required and limited to missing no more than 2 sessions per module, you have the freedom to step back during sessions if you feel the need. Trust your instincts and prioritize your emotional well-being. Feel free to step out of discussions, exercises, or tasks and rejoin when you're ready. Your safety and comfort are paramount.