Physical Poetics

 

A Contact Improvisation workshop

With Karl Frost

Austin, Texas (@ Blue Lapis Light)

17-19 April
   Friday: 7p-10p
   Saturday 10a – 6p
   Sunday: 5:30p-9:30p
   plus, possible Sunday outdoor explorations

Physical Poetics explores contact improvisation as bio-mechanical play and collaborative, experiential art form. Technical work develops functional awareness of self and partner, weight, structure, and mechanical flow, drawing on the Passive Sequencing technique, a release-based approach to CI and proprioceptive awareness. Poetic exploration focuses on the felt experience, sensation, curiosity, imagination, and ineffable meaning in motion. Using “poetry” as a metaphor for creativity in improvisation, we look at diving into and shaping physical narratives, where the “meaning” may be found in the play of physics, the imaginal world, or both. The aim is refined artistry grounded in the joy and curiosity of the body.

Follow the highlighted links for more details on the core practices of CI to be explored in the workshop and on the approaches of physical poetics. The territory to explore is vast, and the weekend will follow the curiosities and learning edges of the specific temporary community gathering for the weekend. explorations and skill development will be cumulative, building over the weekend.

The workshop is grounded in training exercises from the physically interactive performance work and paratheatrical practices of Body Research Physical Theater.

Optional Sunday morning/afternoon nature exploration – If there is sufficient interest and weather and logistics permit, we’ll take some time for movement and sensory explorations in nature, drawing exploration scores from the Dancing Wilderness Project.

Logistics
An open level workshop for the physically adventurous.

All are expected to be excited to  challenge themselves physically and to be comfortable moving through physical contact with another body.  If you have questions if the workshop is appropriate, feel free to write with questions to info@bodyresearch.org
Space is limited to 24, so early registration is recommended.

Registration and Fees

For information, write to Laura Farb, laurafarb@gmail.com 

Fees

  •  $225- $350 sliding scale (pay what you can within the range)
  • Early Registration
    (before 17 March): $175-$350
    (before 1 April): $200-$350

As with most Body Research events, this workshop is “no one turned away for lack of funds”. This means pay what you can in the sliding scale range, and if you can’t afford the lower end, write a note and we can work something out.

Payment Methods…
1) bank transfer via Zelle (preferred method) to Lauar Farb at “512 825 5260”
2) Venmo to Laura Farb, @laura-farb-1

Cancelation and refund policy, click here

Registration: Please do both of the following

bio: Karl Frost has been teaching and performing contact and related work in body-based creative process for the over 39 years. He is known  internationally for his dynamic and articulate movement style, rigor in physical research and teaching, and for the edge-pushing nature of his work in both practice and performance. His work, influenced by studies in contemporary release technique, Alexander technique, and martial arts, has been showcased across the US, Canada, Europe, and South America. His performances, via Body Research Physical Theater, take the body and emotionally and physically felt experience as their reference points, often in highly audience interactive frameworks.

Karl holds a PhD in Ecology (emphasis in Human Ecology and Cultural Evolution Theory), and MFA in Dramatic Arts, and a BA in Physics. He is currently a research scientist at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (Leipzig, Germany).


https://www.bodyresearch.org/workshops/human-contact-project/poetics-of-contact/