PXL-MAD School of Arts

Objecthood in Expanded Field 
is a programme within the Jewellery Design, Gold & Silversmithing department.

"Back to the things themselves": This bold statement captures the essence of the MA programme in object and jewellery design at PXL-MAD (Hasselt, Belgium). This academic programme concentrates on objecthood as a fundamental human dimension. Whether it’s a piece of jewellery, metalwork, an object of use, a sculpture, or a fashion accessory, objects allow us to make sense of the world. They adorn our bodies and interiors and make us feel and think about what we leave behind. Objects constitute our most profound memories and cultural heritage. That is why PXL-MAD’s MA programme addresses all the artistic, technical, and material aspects of conceptualising, making, reclaiming, and presenting objecthood in an expanded field.

This one-year academic programme consists of 60 credits and concentrates on all the dimensions of conceiving, designing, and presenting objects. The programme is structured around three main academic clusters: studio work, critical reflection, and presentations.

Artistic Studio Practice
This cluster unfolds in a dynamic environment that balances both thinking and making. Here, students can explore objecthood in various contexts—contemporary and historical—while examining its multiple dimensions, including artistic, material, technical, socio-political, and ecological aspects. The spacious and luminous studios are equipped with individual workbenches for each student, along with state-of-the-art infrastructure, including 3D printers and laser cutters. 

Critical reflection
The MA seminar consists of a series of lectures aimed at exploring conceptual landscapes that assist students in accurately and inspiringly articulating their projects.
Central themes of this cluster include design history, critical thinking, and semantic proficiency, with lecturers actively collaborating with students on these topics. The critical reflection culminates in a final thesis.

Presentations​
A central goal of the MA programme is to provide an accurate representation of how the worlds of craft, design, and art work. Presentation moments provide students with insights into the cross-pollination between reflecting, making, and writing. Therefore, the academic year includes a continuous assessment procedure: during a mid-term presentation, candidates present their work in progress and discuss their concepts and goals. Based on productive feedback and the creative search for new potentials in the students’ work, the final jury is staged as an exhibition.

Exploring Belgium​
The MA programme actively integrates travelling into its academic ambitions. Belgium, at the crossroads of cultures, makes Hasselt an ideal location to blend passionate work with insights into local culture and its renowned art scene. Hasselt is a cultural hub with a focus on fashion (the Hasselt Fashion Museum) and crafts (Vaklab).
From Hasselt, you can easily take day trips to the most famous museums in Bruges, Brussels, Ghent, and Antwerp, where you can delight in both old and contemporary masterpieces. Additionally, you can find inspiration in the majestic landscapes of Limburg or along the North Sea.

Faculty & Pedagogy
Our team includes internationally experienced professionals in the domain of object and jewellery design, theory, and curatorship. Their signature pedagogical approach relies on a specific dramaturgy of the studio: each project is approached as a workflow that is nourished with visual narratives, challenging techniques, and exciting scenographies. In this context, the teaching staff facilitates and guides a creative process where the artistic and commercial potential is explored.
Nedda El-Asmar, David Huycke, Vlad Ionescu, Audi Pauwels, Anneleen Swillen.