Susanne Kogler

One of Susanne Kogler's research focuses on the topicality of critical theory. As part of the multi-year interdisciplinary project "Radical Thinking in the Anthropocene", initiated together with Stefan Baumgarten (Translation Studies), she is investigating, among other things, the extent to which current philosophical and artistic approaches based on the Critical Theory of the Frankfurt School can create innovative perspectives on the world and self-understanding of people in the 21st century and thus contribute to solving burning social, ecological and economic problems. One focus is on Theodor W. Adorno's understanding of materialism, artistic innovation and art as a mode of behavior. Texts such as Musikalische Schriften, Philosophie der neuen Musik and Ästhetische Theorie are analyzed with regard to forward-looking connections between theory and practice and related to specific artistic positions.

A further long-term focus of Susanne Kogler's research concerns possible connections between aesthetics and politics in contemporary art. Based on Hannah Arendt's concept of politics, a theoretical foundation will be developed to analyze current artistic phenomena in terms of their social relevance and political significance. Of particular interest is the work of contemporary female composers who question traditional orders, hierarchies, behaviors and creative patterns and thus productively transcend the usual boundaries between art, society and politics. Listening as a creative attitude often comes to the fore and the ethical dimensions of art become tangible. With this research, Susanne Kogler is contributing to the new interdisciplinary focus area "Perception: Episteme, Aesthetics, Politics" established at the Faculty of Humanities in 2023, of which she is the spokesperson together with the philosopher Sonja Rinofner-Kreidl.