NC La Drôme 2 0 1 9
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS
August 4 to 9
Phase I - introduction and basic understanding
9:30 - 11:30 As above So Below Frey Faust
deeper study of criss-crossing arcs in anatomical micro/macro structures
Below the skin and inside the cells, the body's structure manifests as a complex
of curved, interlocked and twisted triangular shapes. These shapes offer
movement trajectories that describe volume using the same fractal patterns.
Come explore the subtle genius that the evolution of the human bodyplan blueprint
grants the avid and diligent mover.
11:45 - 13:45 The Polyrhythmic Body - Francesca Pedulla + Lorenzo Gasperoni
Investigating the dialogue between rhythm and the moving body
Live music and live electronic: Lorenzo Gasperoni
The polyrhythmic body is a pedagogical project inspired by the relationship between polyrhythms
and the dancing body in the cultures of West Africa and the Diaspora. In these traditions, dance and
music are inextricably linked, in continuous dialogue. Mirroring each other, they come together in a
single language that is in continuous metamorphosis.
In our proposal we merge the inherent wisdom of tradition with the latest studies in somatic practice,
anatomy biomechanics and musical analysis with the aim to facilitate a deep intimacy between live
music and the moving body. Through experiment, guided improvisation, games and short dance
phrases we suggest ways to gather skill and awareness, as well as engender and enhance creative
expression:
Recognize a rhythmical structure
Move with or in opposition to the rhythm
Influence or be influenced by a rhythmic phrase
Compose your own rhythmical movement
Dance together without loosing the sense of self or personal style
17:00 - 19:00 Ready for takeoff ----> Prepare for landing - Galiya Tzur
tools for a pleasurable and safe flight, from and to the floor
A powerful, effective jump requires timely use of the elastic properties and force generation
abilities of our musculo-fascial-skeletal system. A safe landing requires integrated alignment
and the wise management of impact forces. In this workshop we will spring into the art of
jumping and practice various landing strategies suggested by the ancient and intimate
relationship between the body's magnificent anatomy and the forces acting upon it.
August 11 - 16
Phase II - application / exploration of practice
9:00 - 11:00 Ancient Kinetic Wisdom - Francesca Pedulla + Eric Acakpo
Clues from the analysis of beninese traditional dances
Live music: Eric Acakpo and invited musician
Dance-artist Francesca Pedullà and musician Eric Acakpo work together since more than 10 years,
teaching, creating contexts for cultural and artistic exchange and performing in Benin and abroad.
Their artistic and pedagogic collaboration focuses on the fundamental spiritual and social roles in
which dance and music are vested in Benin’s culture. Their attention is captured by the structure
and phasing of ritual as a performative act where the body, the rhythm, the voice, the gesture and
repetition become instruments of evocation, portals for connection and access to collective memory.
These processes translate from the persona to the collective and although structured, leave space
for improvisation. During the workshop, we will discover the universal bio-mechanical and subtle
rhythmic principles on which some traditional motifs are built. We will step further by learning some
traditional dances and relating them to their context (content, meaning, spatial relation and dialogue
with the rhythm). Moreover we will use the gathered experience to move towards creative collective
and personal re-elaboration.
11:15 - 13:15 Kinetic Esthetics - Barış Mihci
movement intelligence and memory
Esthetic generally refers to cultural attitudes that define beauty, whether object or person. With kinetic
esthetics, I am suggesting that the body itself is beautiful I think that the principles of movement that
allow the body to move with grace, ease, logic and efficiency also confer awe inspiring beauty. That the
moment the body is one with its design and the forces in the universe, it is breathtakingly gorgeous.
The beauty I see when a cat or a bird moves with the instinctive knowledge and respect of its form.
My intention with this session is to offer a space where the body is acknowledged and supported while
we expand possibilities for playful inter-corporal collaboration. We will allow the inherent esthetic to
unfold that appears when the body's elements move in accordance to each other, in relation to and with
the support of everything around us.
17.00 - 19:00 Maelstrom of Stability Jerome D'Orso
tight-rope, the art of balance
The revelations the Axis Syllabus facilitated for me on the practice of the balance on wire has been my
sustained focus for more than fifteen years. In this class, I will share some of the experiences of this quest:
Perception and sense of balance
Curves and spirals induced by the articular systems of the body
The incessant game of compensation and bi-lateral relationship of the driving masses, especially the arms
Dynamics, effects of mass, falls and elevations
Feet and footwork
The urgent and immediate nature of the practice will stimulate our immediate grasp of this subtle dance of
reaction. The dance before the dance that makes us hold the suspension in the middle of the storm of our
internal compensations.
17.00 - 19:00 The FA - Erik Acackpo - 5 days workshop, sunday to thursday
oracle, archetypal symbology, philosophical inquest, math-memory aide and origin of modern
binary computer operating systems. Profound wisdom. A true cultural bridge.
August 18 - 23
Phase III - advanced application of practice
9:00 - 11:00 Less is More - Baris Mihci
"better too much than not enough" or "too much of anything is harmful", two statements that
are true depending on the situation or context. In this workshop, which is a continuation of
the workshop from Phase 2 we will try to understand how much of something is useful by
examining the context. This means questioning the objective, the environment, looking at
the moment before and imagining the moment after. High use of force can make sense to
compensate or protect from impact, imbalanced physical forces or unconsidered reflexes
can be useful for unexpected situations. Some appropriate choice have a high price... what
are our options? We will take time to assess and analyze context and choices, consider the
results of previous experiences and hopefully become more aware and precise in our
selected applications.
11:15 - 13:15 Nexus Theory Frey Faust
focus on the Anatomical Center
Introduction to a rhyzomatic anatomical viewpoint which regards the body in terms of clusters,
and inter-related intersections. The Anatomical Center is the hypothesis
of a "city center" or main intersection in an anatomical rhysome. Although many scientifically
established aspects of current science give clear indications that this mid-riff area is at least
some kind of major network, it should be said that it is not yet confirmed by science. The
awareness and regulation of forces through this area has been useful for many of our students
through the years. One; this area has short, direct fascial connections to other key areas of the
body that are most often involved in movement, and Two) the COG very often moves closer to
this area as we negotiate space. Warning: Sophisticated, undulatory movement patterns will be explored here.
16:00 - 18:00 Vulnerably strong: Senses and sensory perspective - Timos Zechas
Our senses support movement. We sense therefore we move; these two are inseparable. Our nervous system is
equipped with more sensory nerve fibers than motor ones. In this workshop we’ll explore our senses related to
movement. Conscious practice, in order to perceive the interrelation of body and environment through the senses,
will be of primary focus. We experience the embodiment of sensory information as a means to move through
space while we integrate movement choices. We explore the limits of sensitivity and vulnerability discussing the
hidden potential of being exposed to a sensory world. Theory and practice, improvisations, physical contact and
movement material suggestions will be our tools to our sensory journey.
18.30 - 20:30 Water on Rock Jerome D'Orso
site specific partnering skills - Water on the rocks/Partnering in a chaotic space
At the end of the valley, where the river runs, part of the mountain collapsed more than 500 years ago. The resulting
rocky chaos is an amazing site for climbing and tramping. This is where I want to take you to experiment with the
most practical demonstration of mutual aid, the practice of effective collaboration with a partner in complex terrain.
The situation of being in turn supported or sustained, for others a catch, or a passenger in transit, could be inspired
by the presence of rocks and water. At the same time structural architecture, strong, powerful, aligned, and at the
same time the fluid aptitude to undulate without weighing, to marry the form without breaking the cohesion.
August 25 - 30
Phase IV - Restoration/ Consideration/ Creativity
9:30 - 11:30 Anato-me - Frey Faust
revisiting your inner housemates - walking party
This class offers an intensive review of gait mechanics:
informational: official phases in walking, current clinical reports, volumes and physics.
A.S. viewpoint and counsel.
practice: individual analysis for improving grace and power in stepping, prancing, loping, running, leaping
11:45 - 13:45 The Art of Improvisation - Maria Mora
Elastic connections - sponsoring spontaneous creativity
This creativity enhancing work draws inspiration from the Axis Syllabus reference system.
From observations of the skeletal system, we can understand ranges of movement and
directions proposed by the joints. The elastic potential of the myo-fascial system
(muscle/fascia) connects, informs, suspends and supports all parts of the body.
It functions as a sensory instrument for self and environmental perception and force
distribution throughout the body. In these sessions, the practice and understanding
of the various functions and qualities of these systems are grounding, focal aides that
support conceptual or intuitive impulse, creative motif exploration and improvisational play.
17:00 - 20:00 YouSpace - Creative Lab - Facilitation/Moderation: Frey Faust, Baris Mihci, Francesca Pedulla
The NC Creation Lab is a moment for all participants to find an avenue to express or extrapolate something
of their own experience. Francesca, Frey and Baris will suggest manifestation and editing methodology, but
are mainly there to support a personal process. There will be an informal performance at the end, as a means
of sharing the result of the process in the form of a coherent, abstract and compact message.