Tue 2 Jul, 11am – 5pm

Body Weather is a comprehensive training and performance practice that investigates the intersections of bodies and their environments. Bodies are conceived not as fixed and separate entities but as constantly changing – just like the weather. Weather is seen as a complex system of forces and influences coursing through and beyond bodies and the world. The term & philosophical basis for Body Weather was founded in the early 1980’s by dancer Min Tanaka and further developed by Laboratories worldwide.

Frank van de Ven was a member of Tanaka’s Maijuku Performance Company in Japan, from 1983-1991. With Katerina Bakatsaki he leads Body Weather Amsterdam, a platform for training and performance. He has an ongoing commitment to the Body/Landscape projects conducted worldwide and since 1995 he has led the annual, interdisciplinary Bohemiae Rosa Project with Milos Sejn (Academy of Fine Arts, Prague, Czech Republic), connecting body and landscape with art, geology and architecture.

For more info on Body Weather A‘dam see bodyweatheramsterdam.nl. Body Weather was introduced in Australia by Tess de Quincey in 1989, see http://www.bodyweather.net

As a training, Body Weather is of relevance to anyone interested in exploring the body and physical presence and this workshop is suited to dance, theatre and movement practitioners and artists of various backgrounds.

Tue 2 Jul 11am – 5pm

Cost: $60 / students $50

After an energetic, dynamic and rhythmic movement work-out (MB), we will delve into the particulars of improvisation in dance and movement. We’ll explore both physical and mental states of being and creating movement, improvise on non-existing scores and inspect prevalent habits and patterns. Musicians Frederic Rzewski and Steve Lacy: In 1968 I ran into Steve lacy on the street in Rome. I took out my pocket tape recorder and asked him to describe in fifteen seconds the difference between composition and improvisation. He answered: “in fifteen seconds the difference between composition and improvisation is that in composition you have all the time you want to decide what to say in fifteen seconds, while in improvisation you have fifteen seconds”. (from Derek Bailey’s book “Improvisation”)

Suitable for ages 16 to 60.

Donation will be accepted on the door

Image: Frank van de Ven, 2006. Photo by Bertram Dhellemmes Brussels