Lona Gaikis

Lona Gaikis (*1982 Toronto, Canada) is a writer, curator, and lecturer at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna (Austria) where she offers lectures on current debates in philosophy, society, and the arts. She regularly contributes as an author to exhibition catalogs, academic journals, and anthologies.

She obtained her doctoral degree (Dr. Phil.) in Philosophy, Art and Cultural Studies from the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna in 2017. Her research focused on the “new key” in the American philosopher Susanne K. Langer and the meaning of music in artistic practice.

Lona’s commitment to research and academia is complemented by a curatorial engagement with media art and music sub-cultures. In 2009, she founded the platform czirp czirp – experimental and sonic arts. Oscillating between sound in experimental, synesthetic formats, and media art, this project has showcased various international artists.

EDUCATION

2003 – 2009
University degree (Diploma and Master) from the State Academy of Fine Arts, Karlsruhe. Prof. John Bock (2004-2009) and Prof. Günter Umberg (2003-2004).

2009 – 2011
Degree in Applied Cultural Studies, Karlsruhe, ZAK │ Centre for Cultural and General Studies (KIT). Key Topics: “Structures in Modern Cultural Institutions”, “Cultural Aesthetics in Theory and
Practice”, “Cultural Economics”, “Intercultural communication”, and “Occupational

2012 – 2017
Doctorate Studies
Graduate Fellowship and Lectureship Program

17.11.2017 Doctorate Degree (Dr. Phil.) from the Academy of Fine Arts, Vienna
Tutored by Prof. Elisabeth von Samsonow, Fine Arts, Anthropology, and Philosophy. External examiner Prof. R. Pfaller (Kunstuniversität Linz)  
“To the Flesh. Susanne K. Langer’s Art Theory: Body-Mind Synthesis and the Musical Matrix”

RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS

Arts and Humanities, Philosophy, Multidisciplinary, Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics