3.-4.5.2025
Nóra Hajós: Material for the spine & Logomotion into contact improvisation
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CI screening and Q&A with Nóra Hajós followed by a silent jam
A rare chance to study the work and art of 2 major postmodern dance artists, side by side.
Material for the Spine by Steve Paxton & Logomotion by Simone Forti.
Deep learning.
Investigating/exploring/practicing Steve Paxton's studies and teachings: Material for the spine – In 1986, dancer Steve Paxton began examining the spine he had observed in the practice of Contact Improvisation. The system of "Material for the Spine" is a meditative study of spinal and pelvic movement initiations combining a technical approach with an improvisational process. Material for the Spine takes as given that the palette of the dancer exists as sensations in the body. The aim is to bring inner sensations to consciousness as we practice. Yet, each time there will be space for open play/dance improvisation within the learning time to digest the tasted/learned material. Helix and other spinal rolls are forms that you learn from within. As Steve Paxton says : “ I believe after 50 years of work, that it is healthy for the consciousness to spend time with the body." Nora Hajos's interest is in Paxton's way of teaching one's own body from within.
In addition, we will also explore Logomotion in the afternoon sessions. Logomotion is an improvisational dance/narrative form where movement and words spring spontaneously from a common source. The performative form was developed by Simone Forti. She said: "It’s been a way for me to know what is on my mind. What is on my mind, before I think it through, while it is still a wild feeling in my bones.“ Nóra is introducing how contact improvisation and Logomotion can emerge in the making. Focusing on inner sensations, using moment to moment awareness tuning, we will explore spontaneous moving and talking arising in the moment. Every move is a valuable one, that can carry information. As we move, images can come to our mind and we can unfold those images via words and movements, until they have a life.
Steve Paxton & Simone Forti, among others, were involved in 1962 in the foundation of the legendary Judson Dance Theater, a collective of dancers, composers and fine artists that promoted experimental and cross-disciplinary collaboration. They shared fifty years of friendship and mutual interest in each other's creations.
Nóra Hajós (H/USA) started her dance studies at the age of 4 in her native Hungary. For about 4 decades she has been teaching the art of dance and movement improvisation, as well as creating performances in Europe, USA, Canada and South America. Nóra studied in-depth with the following teachers, with whom she also collaborated and performed in many occasions: Steve Paxton, Lisa Nelson (Tuning Scores) and Simone Forti (Logomotion).
She has been studying in depth with Steve Paxton from 1987 onwards. In 2023 & 2024 Steve contributed online to add his teachings at Nóra's Material for the spine workshops in Hungary, Switzerland, France, Canada and Portugal. (His last teachings known.)
More about Nóra: www.norahajos.com / http://theshipgallery.net
PRACTICAL INFORMATION:
Saturday-Sunday 3.-4.5.2025 at 10h-17h (incl. 1,5h lunch pause)
Elontila, Ansaritie 3, Etelä-Haaga, Helsinki
PRICES:
Bird Early until 31.3.: 160 e
Student: 160 e
Normal price 1.4. onwards: 180 e
NOTE. We will only accept the first 13 registrations. When the course gets full, you can sign up for the waiting list.
The screening/q&a and jam on Saturday are included in the workshop fee! See more info below.
REGISTRATION:
Registration is open! You can secure your spot by filling the registration form and paying the course fee. The course fee can be paid in two instalments.
https://forms.gle/G5KUg2spie5box8A7
Open level! The course will be held in English, but interpretation in Finnish and French will be provided.
Check also the event on Facebook: https://fb.me/e/4GEJvtLKu
3.5.2025 18h-21h
CI SCREENING + Q&A with Nóra Hajós + SILENT JAM
You will have the possibility to vision and discuss some videos from the early years of contact improvisation, carefully curated by our international guest Nóra Hajos. Between the videos, Nóra will comment on them and the screening will be followed by some time for questions.
The event will be held in English.
The screening will start at 18h15 and last about 1 hour.
This will be followed by a silent jam until 21h.
Pay what you can. Your contribution can be made at the door by cash or MobilePay..
Elontila, Ansaritie 3, Etelä-Haaga, Helsinki