Week 3: What have I gotten myself into??

Wow. It has been a Great 2 days. 

I've signed up for more than I can handle this week and I'm totally digging it. 

First, in the morning I'm taking technique class with Peter Jasko. You could call it technique, but it's mostly improv—based, where we are busy researching our own movements. 

After this, I continue with Jasko with "Spontaneous Composition". We further research movement, adding layers of qualities and possibilities. We play solo as well and in groups, trios, duets.

Just for an idea of the movements and obsurdity of what I'm working on this week, here's some inspiration from Jasko:

After these 5 hours, I have a lunch break. Time to collect my thoughts...

And from 5-8 I take another very active workshops "Physical Verses" with Damian Jalet who worked with Sidi Larbi often. We explore centrifugal force with our center and limbs flying and spinning around the floor. Then we go into some other tasks, learning repetoire, working together as a group, and continuing harvesting centrifugal force in our own bodies. 

Some work from Jalet:

Needless to say... it's all too much for me. But i'm enjoying it oh so much!

I'm covered in bruises on my hips and knees and elbows because I get into this state where I'm exploring movement in such a different way, I end up in places I've never been before. 

Especialy with Jasko's work, he emphasizes the moving from the body, the body knowledge. Instead of mentally preparing what's going to happen next, you go for it. The focus is not on analyzing what the state, or feeling, or quality of the movement is, the focus is on 'doing' before even knowing where you're going. 
It's a kind of work that I'm really excited to be tapping into. I'm usually the more brainy thinker, and I'm thoroughly enjoying trusting in my body and seeing what already exists in it. 

I'm building a lot of trust in myself. and letting go of the fear of going to unknown places. 

I reach by the end of the day a level of complete exhaustion, and in this zone, when I continue to push the physical limits, I start to discover new things and develop new trust in my movements, stamina, and improvisation qualities. 

Day 3 of week 3... It's a killer! 

Day 4: Reflections on the First Days

Three days into the festival, and there is just so much to say!

I had a chat with Benji after the classes yesterday and we talked for hours about what we've been learning. Our heads are full with inspiration and possibilities. I'll start with some new insights from Jonathan Burrow's workshop

What we have been doing in his workshop is going along the process he used for the last piece he created with Matteo Fargion. 

It starts with creating the simplest of movement phrases. Nothing ambitious, nothing even spectacular or interesting. In fact, it's almost irritating to make because it's so dull. He calls this "Empty, inadequate movement". It is made within a structure A, B, C, D where A is comprised of 4 'things' (movements, gestures, actions etc) B is 8, C is 6 and D is 2. It is then placed in the structure ABACDCAB. This is a reference to "La Folia"from Vivaldi. A deviation from the pattern is optional on the 2nd and 3rd A, for instance a slight pause or change of speed.

It is a system for producing movement phrases to be used in a larger context. Place a title next to it, and suddenly the piece has context and movement has inferences. 

There are lots of interesting things that arise from using a set structure to make a phrase rather than personal preference or choice. What appeared meaningless gains meaning in the structure whether that was the intended outcome or not. It happens outside of the creators control. Especially when the title given is also a randomized process. Then there is the question of how the material is performed. Does one acknowledge the connections which happen by chance?

Day 1: Workshops Begin!

Let it begin!

I arrived at the Arsenal, where the main studios are, early than needed. But I wanted to be prepared, catch my breath, and soak in the excitement.

There are 10 studios here, and I don't just mean 'studios', I mean huge arsenals where they built some of the sets of StarWars, halls that do deep past the horizon, where the dancing floor can't even cover the whole space because, I mean, who needs that much space??

Additionally, the space has a real 'summer camp' feeling to it. There is an outdoor cafe selling everything from coffees to warm meals for lunch. There are tables and benches and lounge chairs for you do sit, rest, socialize. Here we share everything from what we're doing in the workshops to what's in our lunch boxes.

And when you're done with your workshops, you can soak up the sun or take a dip in the knee-deep pool!

Camp Impulstanz....

And then of course there are the workshops:

This week I start the day with Writing Dance from Johnathon Burrows. My second workshop is Becoming Animal with Burno Caverna. And these workshops couldn't be anymore different!

More on these workshops after day Two... The information is still sinking in and flowing through