automatic constructions

Iris Heitzinger

Automatic: from Ancient Greek autómat(os) - “self-moving; moving of oneself; self-acting; spontaneous”

Let us start by considering the body as being the tool which situates us in this world and the site where our experiences take place. We can no longer part from the idea of the mind being separate from our physical experience and our emotional responses to our environment. Yet the body has capacities that can sometimes exceed those of our conscious rational thinking. It is able to function on many different levels at the same time, unfurling a spontaneous potential of creativity.

During the course of this workshop we will look for sources of movement which don’t stem from decision making or planning ahead but which originate in an innate drive to produce movement.

We will play with the element of surprising and tricking ourselves, our partner and the group into movement. We will explore time and waiting as a jumping board for action. We will tune into our “body of senses” and explore states of overstimulation or quietness and nothingness. An emphasis will be given to the observation of our decision making processes and our active engagement or disengagement from them.

Questions we will ask ourselves: Where does an action/a movement originate from? What is an impulse? What is a plan? For how long does my attention and interest for what I am doing stay active and in how far does this coincide with the audience's attention span? How much control do I want or need to execute over my material? Am I being sincere in my action and in my being present? Does not controlling my movement consciously automatically lead to chaotic composition or is there a universal tendency of all things and ideas to organize themselves and the only thing I have to do is step back and let it happen?

An important role in this practice is played by the witness considering that the objective is to manifest intuitive and spontaneous creativity. When we are seen/witnessed by someone we are released into spontaneity. As a group we will provide a safe and comfortable context in order to be able to see each other, show ourselves and share ideas, doubts and conclusions.