Political Bodies
A performative research
January – April 2024 | Berlin
Based on PHYSICAL THEATRE approaches and inspirations from PERFORMANCE ART, in this project we deal with POLITICAL BODIES: in a narrower sense in relation to the book of the same name by Jule Govrin, published in 2022, and in a broader sense beyond.
Vulnerability connects: We all have bodies
Bodies are symbols of power. Bodies are habitualized by structures, even affects are politically coded. Bodies need care and are vulnerable. Can shared vulnerability unite us? Can we create structures based on solidarity? Jule Govrin examines these theses and questions, among others, in her book, as well as the realisation that bodies are not only vulnerable, but are also made vulnerable. People in precarious conditions are entitled to less protection than the privileged, which means inequality and requires new forms of solidarity. Based on the example of the corona crisis, the philosopher begins to write her book “Political Bodies”. She breaks down various dimensions of how bodies are political. Her reflections range from the Middle Ages to Judith Butler, Michel Foucault and Pierre Bourdieu to current trends such as the feminist activism Ni Una Menos.
In this Physical Theater research we will deal with ideas from the book by Jule Govrin and explore, for example, vulnerability, solidarity, collective structures, power structures + inequality, socially shaped affects physically and performatively. We experiment, for example, with body art, dance improvisation, symbolic images and actions and create solo, duo and group choreographies that culminate in a final showing.
The following methods and approaches also inspire the project
Butoh, Somatics & Embodiment, Bodyweather, Site Specific Performance, Contact Improvisation, Viewpoints, Physical Emotion Training, Noh Theater. But also concrete examples from Performance Art, contemporary Dance and Theater (Sasha Waltz, Pina Bausch, Tatsumi Hijikata, Jerzy Grotowsky, Augusto Boal…)
Social / Public Space
Phenomena such as political activism (e.g. Me Too, climate activists, demonstrations, assemblies, etc.) as well as a reflection on society, architecture and public space are also part of the research.
• This performative research is considered as the 2. Modul of the Winter Semester of the Physical Theatre course
• It is open and suitable for anyone interested – with or without previous experience
• It requires regular participation throughout the period
• Only with previous registration
Starting: January 2024
DURATION
January – April 2024TIME & LOCATION
Fridays, 19h – 21:30h
VUESCH / Theaterlounge (in the RAW-Gelände Berlin-Friedrichshain)
OpenStreetMaps · Qwant Maps · Google MapsMONTHLY FEE
Research = 70-80€ sliding scale
Research + Physical Theatre trainings = 110€ / 95€ (concession)
Alumni (contact us!)TEACHING Rosalin Hertrich
LANGUAGE German and English
LEVEL Open level
Physical Theatre 
You must be logged in to post a comment.