Creative Suspension With Felix Ruckert & Yael Stormborn
The Power of Space
Type: In Person2023: 2 April, hours: 15:00
PURCHASE TICKET
ABOUT FLOW
by Felix Ruckert and Yael Stormborn
"Flow" is presence in motion, the promise of effortless action, the absence of doubt and hesitation, the feeling of being in tune, tuned and coherent.
Felix invites you to spend an afternoon/evening exploring the phenomenon of "flow" by investigating similarities and differences between two techniques of physical interaction: Contact Improvisation and Shibari - Japanese rope bondage.
What these techniques have in common is the non-ordinary encounter, the non-verbal communication of two partners through physical contact, the focus on sensuality and creative expression, the instant composition in time and space, a social context and protected environment.
The differences manifest themselves in the handling of the principles of leading and following, the handling of impulses, wishes and desires, the hierarchy between the actors.
Contact Improvisation, as a typical child of the 70s, tries to do without hierarchy completely, the focus is on listening and sensing, which refers to the partner, but also to gravity, as well as impulses from time and space. Ideally, the dance is created without a plan or scheme and leads into the unknown, the unforeseen. In flow through lack of hierarchy.
In Shibari, the game with the rope, on the other hand, the roles are clearly distributed. There is the dominant and the submissive part, the plan and the submission. This allows more intense emotional encounters and the reinterpretation of so-called negative feelings such as fear, pain and shame, for example. Such vulnerability easily increases presence and enlivenment: Flow through clearly expressed hierarchy. But again, also in Shibari meaningful interaction can only happen with both partners agreeing about what they want to experience, so flow only arises through surrendering to what is possible.
Both techniques consider "flow" as desirable and both techniques are ways to practice and experience "flow". This workshop tries to make clear that these different approaches not only do not contradict each other, but above all complement and enrich each other. Practioners from both the worlds of C.I. and Shibari are very welcome to this workshop!
PROGRAM:
13:00 Arriving, Tuning in, Socializing
13:30 Contact Improvisation
15:00 Shibari
18:00 Fusion & Open Play
20:00 end
This event is a workshop, it is performance art and a play space, all in one. The event is part of Felix’ research on the creation of „Magical Spaces“ and you are invited to come and to co-create a touching and exciting group experience, which also will be spectacularly beautiful to observe, if you prefer to stay on the sidelines, which is absolutely possible.
The princess will mainly use her 7 qualities for sex positive spaces (https://vimeo.com/429595410) to create scores and exercises that provide a field of intense personal experience and encounter. The 7 qualities represent essential tools for artistic expression, but function as well as instruments in navigating sex positive spaces, in exploring physical contact and safely negotiating any form of sensual encounter.
Note: Most exercises and scores in this workshop are practical-physical and hands-on. In order to provide a non-exclusive and vast range of experiences, we often work with random partner combinations. So there will be both same gender and different gender combinations. Participants should generally be open to working with any person and any body. Exceptions can be discussed. All interactions will be based on the principle of enthusiastic consent.
You can book your ticket here:
https://www.athenshibari.gr/eshop/index.php?route=product/product&path=64&product_id=102
Or just contact us!
We are looking forward to seeing you!
More about the presenters:
Felix Ruckert
Following a long career as an internationally renowned dancer and choreographer Felix expanded his skill set, when - on tour in Japan - he discovered Shibari or Kinbaku – Japanese Rope Bondage in 1999. Starting as an autodidact, just copying from photos in Japanese rope bondage magazines, he soon had the chance to study with Hagen in Berlin, Matthias T.J. Grimme, Midori, Shadow and Osada Steve, who became his first teachers.
When in 2007 he opened schwelle7, it quickly became an important hub for the international Shibari community. For nine years Felix regularily invited masters from Japan to schwelle7 and therefore had the opportunity to expand his knowledge, studying intensively with some of the most influential Japanese masters: Arisue Go, Nawashi Kanna, Hajime Kinoko, Akira Naka, Otonaya Otonawa and Ren Yagami amongst others. By programming Shibari at schwelle7 Felix Ruckert played a significant role in popularizing the practice in Berlin and throughout Europe.
The Schwelle7 location and style became a model for many rope bondage dojos all over the continent. Coming from dance and theatre Felix also created dozens of Rope Bondage Performances, collaborating with and learning from artists such as Dasniya Sommer, Caritia, Gorgone, Nicolas Yoroi, Pilar LaOtra, Anna Noctuelle, Sophia Rose, Tifereth and Saara Rei amongst others. He also created several performances in a theatre context that integrated elements of Japanese Rope Bondage: STILLEN (2000), DIE FARM (2006), DRYADE – A DARK FAIRY (2011) and ZERO GRAVITY ZONE (2012).
Currently Felix Ruckert curates and organizes twice a year the EURIX - The European Rigger&Model Exchange in Berlin, which is the most popular international meetings for rope artists who engage in the development of Kinbaku as an art form. For EURIX Felix wrote his Guidelines for Rope Bondage Presenters as well as the EURIX Guidelines for Negotiation and Establishing Consent. At EURIX he regularly presents short Rope Bondage Performances applying three conceptual rules: using innovative technique, defining narrative and subtext, and applying tools of instant composition.
Felix’ private as well as his public tying is unconventional and does not follow any particular style. He draws from a vast variety of techniques and schools, his ties adapt to each partner and each situation, composing with body, rope, time and space, in often unpredictable ways. On the technical side he constantly tries to invent new patterns and ties and is particularly interested in creative and quick suspensions, often using a minimum of rope, both on bamboo and ring. He also enjoys floor work, integrating all forms of other sensual practices, from impact play and knives to breath control and mindfuck. On the stage he tries to create strong theatrical experiences, to make meaning, to provoke reactions and thoughts. He also likes to reflect and investigate the societal and political impact rope bondage practice can have. He sees rope bondage practice as a model for a mutually beneficial human collaboration, for an exercise in consent and for an opportunity to reinterpretate power relations and deconstruct gender stereotypes.
http://felixruckert.de/category/bondage/
website of IKSK, my new studio in Berlin:
https://www.iksk-berlin.de/
Yael Stormborn ( Los Angeles) is a bartender turned aerialist turned creative director who has performed for the likes of Nuit Des Cordes, Playa Alchemist @ Burning Man, and is a member of the surrealist, dark art collective, The House of Red Velvet. She has vast experience as an aerialist, performer and rope model and will be featured as a rope stunt model in the upcoming indie film, Bight. Find her on instagram @teninchyaels or here: https://www.instagram.com/teninchyaels/
Event's Facebook page