Workshop: Workshop: The Memory of the BodyThe Memory of the Body

Gabriele C. Pfeiffer (Wien)Gabriele C. Pfeiffer (Wien)

The human body functions as material The human body functions as material as well as an instrument for performers. as well as an instrument for performers. Different techniques and styles of Different techniques and styles of acting, depending on tradition and acting, depending on tradition and cultural identity, are memorized inside cultural identity, are memorized inside the body from where it is accessible. the body from where it is accessible. The body itself is medium and The body itself is medium and manifestation of individual acquired manifestation of individual acquired craft and at the same time of cultural craft and at the same time of cultural memory. memory.

The workshop gave both, a theoretical The workshop gave both, a theoretical and a practical insight in processes of and a practical insight in processes of „incorporation“ and the development „incorporation“ and the development of „internal memory“ (Jan Kott) which of „internal memory“ (Jan Kott) which can only be communicated through can only be communicated through the body. It also showed how actors the body. It also showed how actors can use physical training methods can use physical training methods and body techniques for their and body techniques for their performances.performances.

On the first day, Gabriele gave us some basic information, On the first day, Gabriele gave us some basic information, quoting Jan Kott, Friedrich Nietzsche, Eugenio Barba, quoting Jan Kott, Friedrich Nietzsche, Eugenio Barba, Thomas Fuchs and Maurice Merleau-Ponty. On the picture, Thomas Fuchs and Maurice Merleau-Ponty. On the picture, she is explaining the 5 different kinds of the memory of the she is explaining the 5 different kinds of the memory of the body according to Thomas Fuchs.body according to Thomas Fuchs.

In the afternoon we changed the scenery and In the afternoon we changed the scenery and tried some juggling. Thereby, we experienced tried some juggling. Thereby, we experienced how the body remembers movements and makes how the body remembers movements and makes them part of its memory.them part of its memory.

We also dealt with the medieval concept of the „Homunculus“ We also dealt with the medieval concept of the „Homunculus“ which is used as a metaphor for the human sensory cortex in which is used as a metaphor for the human sensory cortex in neuroanatomy, showing which senses we mainly use.neuroanatomy, showing which senses we mainly use.

To find out how we see human beings in general and, To find out how we see human beings in general and, respectively, ourselves, we drew our own „homunculi“.respectively, ourselves, we drew our own „homunculi“.

Silent reading, discussions and short Silent reading, discussions and short lectures by Gabriele alternated in a lectures by Gabriele alternated in a very pleasant way.very pleasant way.

And during the breaks, we practised And during the breaks, we practised our juggling abilities.our juggling abilities.

We started the next morning in a very meditative and We started the next morning in a very meditative and recreational way, as Gabriele showed us another well-recreational way, as Gabriele showed us another well-known body technique: the so-called „Eight known body technique: the so-called „Eight treasures“, eight preliminary exercises of Tai Chi.treasures“, eight preliminary exercises of Tai Chi.

Here, each of us is showing one of Here, each of us is showing one of the eight exercises .the eight exercises .

In the second part of the workshop, we In the second part of the workshop, we concentrated on different applications of the concentrated on different applications of the memory of the body, learning about different memory of the body, learning about different physical training methods for actors.physical training methods for actors.

We watched some videos, showing the physical We watched some videos, showing the physical training with Jerzy Grotowski (1966), at Eugenio training with Jerzy Grotowski (1966), at Eugenio Barbas Barbas Odin Teatret Odin Teatret (1966) and at Ariane (1966) and at Ariane Mnouchkines Mnouchkines Théâtre du SoleilThéâtre du Soleil. The picture shows . The picture shows Richard Cieslak demonstrating some of Grotowskis Richard Cieslak demonstrating some of Grotowskis exercises.exercises.

We read extracts from:We read extracts from:Eugenio Barbas, Eugenio Barbas, The Paper CanoeThe Paper CanoeMaurice Merleau-Ponty, Maurice Merleau-Ponty, The The

experience of the body and classical experience of the body and classical psychologypsychology

Marcel Mauss, Marcel Mauss, Body techniquesBody techniques Judith Butler, Judith Butler, Bodies that matterBodies that matter

Our discussions were very fruitful and Our discussions were very fruitful and touched gender related and anthropological touched gender related and anthropological questions as well as acting styles and codified questions as well as acting styles and codified movement systems as used by Goethe at the movement systems as used by Goethe at the Weimar theatre or in the japanese Nô theatre.Weimar theatre or in the japanese Nô theatre.

For the final presentation we created our own For the final presentation we created our own game of memory, drawing symbols for the game of memory, drawing symbols for the texts we had read, our own „texts we had read, our own „homunculihomunculi“ and “ and some personal impressions of the weekend.some personal impressions of the weekend.

As a matter of fact, we also As a matter of fact, we also played the game.played the game.

We finished our workshop with a We finished our workshop with a repetition of the „Eight treasures“ … repetition of the „Eight treasures“ …

… … and some juggling!and some juggling!

Participants:Participants:Sarah Al-HeliSarah Al-HeliEva BonnEva BonnKatharina DufekKatharina DufekCamilla HenrichCamilla HenrichCaroline HerfertCaroline HerfertJelena KovacevicJelena KovacevicJohannes LöckerJohannes LöckerSara Sara

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