30th July (3pm) to 4th August (1pm)

Abercych, West Wales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This summer’s workshop with Simon Whitehead and Kirstie Simson follows on from inspiring and connective experiences during the last two Practicing Places in Pembrokeshire, West Wales.

Kirstie and Simon weave & share their practices through these days, in the village hall in Abercych and surrounding landscapes.

Kirstie  :  Moving Bodies | Empty Spaces

An Exploration of Freedom through Dance Improvisation

There is deep inspiration and rigour in a practice of improvisation that posits vulnerability at its heart. Developing the skills to be able to care for, engage, respect and respond to that state of vulnerability in oneself and others gives life to improvisation that is powerful and transformative.

This is the work that Kirstie engenders through facilitated exercises, open time for play and exploration, movement scores, observations and discussion. Much of the work is experienced through partnering and connection with others, balanced with solo time for processing and reflection.

Kirstie’s art form is her life practice, and she shares insights gleaned from thirty-two years experience of living dance improvisation. Kirstie draws from her knowledge of contact improvisation, dance techniques, the Alexander technique, Aikido, meditation and her extensive experience of improvisation in performance. Her work explores the huge potential of the body’s response to the primal urge to move, inspired by the energy released through human interaction, physical challenge and a daring to go beyond inherent ideas of limitation. Her current questioning pertains to the relevance of artistic practice in today’s troubled world.

Simon  :  Tangle

Moving from the premise that we are all active in processes of place-making, Simon will propose a number of ways to collaborate tenderly within a tangle of places, atmospheres, materials, humans and other beings. There will be opportunities to work solo and collectively both in and through the different terrains of the valley of Cwm Cych: the river, a field, a woodland, a water fall; as well as the nearby Pembrokeshire coast. We will also approach the nighttime; using scores and exercises that take us through dusk into the darkness to move and work together.

Over the last 17 years Simon has located much of his practice in the valley close to his home. Walking and encountering places, objects and events, he responds physically, making performances on foot, often fleeting, ephemeral and playful. At present he is working on 2channel, a collaborative project with sound artist Barnaby Oliver, working through their local rivers in Abercych, west Wales and Melbourne, Australia. A conversation between artists and friends living at distance, whilst disclosing a river’s everywhereness.

www.simonwhitehead.net

http://www.untitledstates.net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This year there will be an opportunity to share participants’ performance practices.We will be searching for creative ways to do this over a couple of evening events.

 

Cost: £350 (non residential, includes supper on first day)

Contact Stirling for booking info & accommodation list: rstirlingsteward@gmail.com

We are delighted to be hosting Authentic Movement teacher Susan Schell in Abercych this June.

WORKSHOP NOW FULL… SEPARATE POST SOON DETAILING COMMUNITY DAY that Susan will contribute to on Sunday 30th June.

Susan is an inspiring and emotionally courageous movement practitioner, also now also working as a interfaith hospice chaplain.

Bigger than the Body 

24th to 29th June 2019

Abercych, Pembrokeshire, Wales

As movers, we will begin with the bare bones that support the form of Authentic Movement; connection to self, sensation, imagination, memory and perception. We will also be deepening our experience of what it is to hold the space, both within us as well as outside our physical bodies as we witness one another. At first glance, we are often most aware of what occupies the space, the people, walls, floor and so on, and less aware of the space that is surrounding and infusing everything.

In our seemingly concrete world, it is unusual to register the fact that what appears as ‘object’ is predominately ‘space’. To recognize that space does not belong to anyone yet fills ALL, can provide us with an experience of space as connective tissue – the unifying element between the visible and invisible, form and essence – that which is holding us. Through time an intimacy grows, a balance between ‘knowing’ and ‘not knowing’, ‘seeing’ and ‘sensing’ that can bring us to the threshold of grace.

 

£350 (non-residential – low cost accommodation available locally)

For more info & to book contact Stirling: 01239 841488/rstirlingsteward@gmail.com

Places limited to 14

 

Susan Schell has been teaching and performing from a foundation deeply planted in the practice of improvisational forms for over 40 years. In the early 80’s she studied in-depth the practice of Authentic Movement with Janet Adler. Since then, she has been exploring, developing and teaching on-going classes, intensives and retreats in the US and abroad. In 2012 she completed a two year interfaith chaplaincy program and now, in addition to dancing, she also serves as a hospice chaplain.