As part of the 5th block week of the Horizon 2020 funded Lab for Artistic Research at the HfBK Dresden, the scholarship holders were able to participate in a one and a half day workshop with Barbara Lubich and Daniela Lehmann. A report with references for more insight by Nele Hartmann.
“Before we introduce ourselves to each other in the small group, we position our bodies in the room. One of the two workshop leaders, Dani, guides us to anticipate a position somewhere in the space, and to take it as deeply as possible. This leads to physically challenging, fun moments, first encounters and a physical arrival in the White Alley and in the group.
Barbara and Dani introduce us to various art projects throughout the day, heavily influenced by disciplines of sociology, performance art and choreography. Among others by Dana Caspersen, who creates with her project “Knot-Unknot” a participatory format between performance, conflict management and experimental theater. The artist addresses the topic of migration in an experimental way, with an unpredictable and emotional outcome. We discuss the boundaries of different disciplines and the difficulty of acquiring people for participatory formats.
We discuss Barbara’s project “Parallel Situation”, in which she reconstructs historical dance theater and realizes it performatively. We also physically re-enact the project “Image and Body”: In groups of 2, we each take on the role of the photographer Charlotte Rudolph, or the famous Dresden dancer Mary Wigman, and recreate a photograph. In this way we try to recreate a historical moment and the working methods of the two artists.
At the end of the workshop day we go into a physical exchange once again: “It stops like this…” is a performative exercise by Antje Pfundner. We move freely in space, using the words “It stops like this…”, and finish the sentence with sounds or movements.
The second workshop day will take place at Zentralwerk, Barbara and Daniela’s place of residence and creation. Here we explore through artistic exploration, as well as reflective conversations with the art project of the Indian artist Lawai BemBem, who deals with the connection of her mother tongue, body parts and the city of Dresden. Unfortunately, due to a lack of internet connection, no personal exchange with the artist can take place. The explosive political situation on the ground makes us aware of another level of bodily existence, and grateful for our physical and artistic freedom.”
