The Body in Landscape Workshop
2007 (Dates to be defined)
An intensive one week exploration of the body and its relationship to landscape. A workshop residency for all disciplines (drawing, painting, performance art, poetry, dance, video, your medium).
Each day will consist of talks, performances, discussions, critiques, creative studio time both inside and outside. Will include visits to neighboring villages and countryside. Artist's models will daily be made available both inside and out.
Part of every day will be based around a different topic, sometimes with an invited local artist.
Topics
1. Primal body. Primal Spirit. There are a number of dolmens - megalithic tombs (dating back 5000 years), in the area. Sites that are dominated by large rocks, placed around a tomb, that are intense with emotional, physical and cathartic elements, speaking of a relationship of mankind to nature, often in remote scenery.
2. Nature entwined. The tortured sinews of the vine, growing from rocky soil, and the heat of sun, burst forth heavy bunches of grapes that are harvested for vine. Their interaction with society here is omnipresent in the fields, buildings, and the harvesting which will be beginning during the workshop.
3. The Cathars. The Cathars lived in castles built atop the remotest peaks. Queribus in particular is surmounted by a chapel, with views that drop thousands of feet to valleys below. Amongst the Cathars beliefs, was a sense of equality for the sexes, vegeterianism, and a duality of the Devil and God.
4. Water. Water is often considered a sacred source. and there are wells to almost every vineyard. Fountains and springs date back to use in Roman times. we will visit and bathe in a hidden pool, heated by an underground spring.
5. Magic Houses. Houses, particularly French Houses are full of elements, that relate to archetypes and myths. Many are pierced by strange triangles and other motifs, have huge marble fireplaces, and other interesting features. ...
