Organismic Alchemy: Contact Improvisation with Karl Frost, Leipzig

a 2 weekend intensive in Contact Improvisation explored as collaborative bio-mechanical play and experiential art. with Karl Frost (US/Germany) 21-23 and 28-30 March, 2025 Leipzig ... at Fudoshin Aikido Dojo Josephstraße 4 (a convivial, focus-inspiring space with a padded floor) Early registration is encouraged, and fees are structured accordingly. www.bodyresearch.org --- Contact Improvisation is a 50 year old art-sport exploring the possibilities of bodies moving through physical contact: support, flow, resistance, lifts, and falling together through space. This workshop will be one part technical work to two parts physical poetic exploration. Technical explorations develop functional physical awareness of self and other. Poetic explorations investigate art-making and poetic sensibility in movement together through physical contact. We explore the alchemy of sensory/process-based choice making to take us into imaginative "altered" states. The alchemy of two partners' interdependent choices creates a third organism of interlocking art experiences, where we are both author and subject. We develop tools and perspectives for distilling and diversifying our explorations of physical contact. We use the metaphor of “poetry” in creative exploration, searching for the ineffable, imaginative landscapes, “meaning”, and the felt experience. The technical work is both a pleasure in itself and a tool for more refined art-making. References include Grotowskian paratheatrical work, somatic psychology, CI, release technique and the "Passive Sequencing" work, and the provocative interactive performance work of Body Research Physical theater. more workshop details on the Body Research website ---- Logistics: All attending are expected to already have at least an introduction to contact improvisation. Space limited to 25. Based on previous versions of this workshop, it is likely to fill, so registering early is recommended. Staying overnight in the studio is available for out-of town dancers Workshop is in English Hours & Location Fridays: 19h-22h @ Studio der Tanzplattform Leipzig Saturdays: 10h - 18h @ Fudoshin Sundays: 10h - 17h @ Fudoshin Fudoshin Aikido Dojo Josephstraße 45 in Leipzig (a convivial, focus-inspiring space with a padded floor) Studio der Tanzplattform Leipzig (Erich-Zeigner-Allee 64E) (Also known as Tanz Zentrale Studio 2) Fees: Early registration and commitment is encouraged, and fees are structured accordingly. Sliding scale... pay what you can within the range. No one turned away for lack of funds, Paid by 15 February 200 - 500e Paid by 1 March 250- 500 e Paid after 1 March 300-500 e Registration: see the website. -- Karl Frost has been teaching and performing contact and related work in body-based creative process for the over 38 years. He is known internationally for his dynamic and articulate movement style, his 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 states, Canada, Europe, South America, and Israel. 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 working as a research scientist at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (Leipzig, Germany), Department of Human Behavior, Ecology, and Culture, where he works on visual anthropology (photography and video) and theoretical studies in cultural evolution.