The workshop is based on the traditional Indian practices that focus on mind expansion, which we will use as a resource for our creative artistic process. The workshop will include a close introspection of the inner processes of the body and mind and we will try to establish a balance between the opposing poles of long-lasting standstill and active movements. In this part we often practice with closed eyes.
The first step will be to redirect our attention to the inner activities during standstill, with the aim to make acute observations of the sensory, motoric and other inner activities. Hence during the first hour we will develop somatic practices, that will help us to improve our body – mind awareness. These practices, in which we want to develop a precise inner gaze, should lead to a stronger and more authentic presence as a performer and aim to improve our ability to be conscioussly connected with the body while moving.
From there, we will build on this individually experienced anatomy, an organisation of the body defined purely by the inner sensations. Our objective will then be to train and enhance this sensory intelligence. There will be moments of silence that can last for few moments or for a longer period of time, and they require a certain unobtrusive endurance and relaxation as well as a trained body and a courious mind. We will closely examine the limits of rest, endurance and our own ability to search. Our findings will finally leave us in a subtle space of expanded consciousness. Afterwards, we will talk about how this state can inspire us as individual artists and what kind of dance, situation or new space of possibility this state might generate.
In the second half we will then bring these inner experiences into guided improvisations. We will be watching closely the intentions that make us dance and we will exemine our tools to create composition within the improvised dance and see how our individual potential can artistically develop. The focus in this practice is on individuality and on shaping once own artistic language.
Linda Samaraweerová
is a choreographer and performer. She studied at the dance and performance academy P.A.R.T.S in Belgium. From 2005 until 2017, she worked closely with sculptor and installation artist Karl Karner on a more comprehensive concept of choreography that combines aspects of both the visual arts and performance. At the moment, her research focuses on cultural practices that involve mind expansion. Since 2009 her choreographies are regularly premiered at Tanzquartier Vienna. Her projects were presented in many theatres, galleries and museums in Europe and on other continents.
As a dancer and performer she worked among others with Nada Production Amanda Pina, Anne Juren, Lisa Hinterreithner, Daniel Zimmermann, Milli Bitterly.
Linda Samaraweerová teaches on regular bases since 2003, among others in Tanzquartier Vienna. From 2013 – 2015 she was curating KS ROOM a space for performance and visual art in Styria, Austria.
Since 2021 she has been the head of Body & Performance Practices department in Tanzquartier Vienna, curating the training program for professional dancers.