Julia Modes

Julia Modes is a Researcher and Academic Assistant in the Department of Art History and Media Philosophy at the Karlsruhe University of Arts and Design. She holds a multidisciplinary background with studies in Art and Visual History, Philosophy, Creative Writing, and Decorative Arts from institutions such as Humboldt University (Berlin), Melbourne University, Columbia University, and the Bard Graduate Center. Her work bridges art theory, media philosophy, and curatorial practice, focusing on themes like visual violence, political iconography, and the anthropocene. Modes has curated exhibitions including 'unnatural' (2019) and contributed to academic discourse through publications on topics ranging from Cy Twombly’s art to the intersection of press photography and political imagery.

Education

• Art and Visual History, Philosophy, Creative Writing: Humboldt University Berlin, Melbourne University, Columbia University New York
• Decorative Arts and Design History: Bard Graduate Center, New York

Research Interests

Modes’ research critically examines the interplay between art, media, and socio-political contexts. Key areas include:

• Visual representations of historical violence and their contemporary resonances
• Political iconography in media and its influence on public discourse
• Feminist re-evaluations of art historiography
• Art’s role in addressing environmental crises (anthropocene studies)
• Curatorial methodologies that challenge traditional narratives

Grants & Awards

• Fellowship from Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes
• DAAD Grant for international research
• Max Planck Institute for Art History Fellowship (Rome)

Professional Contributions

Modes has taught at Humboldt University, the Berlin University Alliance, and the University of Fribourg. Her curatorial work includes organizing exhibitions with the Kleine Humboldt Galerie collective and the 'unselect' festival. She is currently writing a PhD on violence in Cy Twombly’s oeuvre.