AXIS MUNDI – Watering the Tree of Life
Intensive Butoh Workshop with Alessandro Pintus
From 15th to 21st September 2014 at Frauenseeweg, 6600 Lechaschau, Austria
“If a tree would write his autobiography, it would not be different from the history of a people” Kahlil Gibran
The theme of the workshop is focused on the concept of the Axis Mundi, two Latin words which indicates an axis with the function of connecting Heaven, Earth and the Underworld. This imagery is present in many cultures and mythologies and often associated to the symbolism of the Cosmic Tree, that is an enormous tree in the center of the universe that links the different levels of reality.
The human body is the Axis of the Universe extended halfway between the above and the below. The body is the medium to travel, transiting between the Uranian world and Chthonian world. These two forces nourish and move our bodies, our lives. The lower part of the body is linked to the Hades world, while the upper part to the Heaven world. These Forces are complementary to each other and not in opposition, they take turns in looking for a balance. Only a vacuous and anonymous dance it can transform the dancer’s body in a sacred place where heaven and earth meet.
The DNA of our body symbolizes the Tree of Life. In our chromosomes is written the history of human evolution, we are the bearers of the genetic traces of those who were before us. Our bodies represent the Family Tree of our species. In us are living millions of beings that have come and gone on this planet since immemorial time. The ancestors are dancing in our body silently, going up and down along the tree of life.
Through a conscious dance, aware of the human history, we can water the tree of our existence, and feed the tree of the Eternal Life.
The workshop is open to everybody even without previous experience. In addition to an indoor dance training, special attention will be addressed to the work in nature, in order to direct the consciousness towards a deep and organic dimension of perception. At the end of the working week there will be a final performance event open to an audience, a way to share the work developed during the workshop with the people and the place that hosted it.
BIOGRAPHY:
Alessandro Pintus is a dancer, choreographer and teacher. He trained himself in Theatre, Contemporary dance, and Butoh dance which he research till 1996 working with the most representative Japanese masters. He has also enhanced his formation working with the Eurhythmy by Rudolf Steiner, and the Movements and Sacred Dances by G.I. Gurdjieff. Alongside with that he is developing a personal research on Butoh, which has took him towards his own cultural roots. Taking responsibility to contextualize his work in order to meet a more authentic dance. He is currently running an intense artistic and didactic activity in Italy and Europe since 2000. He founded NON COMPANY in 2001, a dance research team that takes care of investigating the hidden meanings of the Butoh dance, exploring Italian cultural backgrounds. Actually he is teaching his method for the “Department of Arts” at La Sapienza University in Rome, and at N.U.C.T. (New School of Cinema and Television) at the Cinecittà Studios in Rome.
LOCATION:
Freizeit – und Fortbildungshaus Frauensee, c/o Pädagogische Aktion e.V., 6600 Lechaschau, Österreich House “Frauensee“ of the “Pädagogische Aktion“ is located in a beautiful area close to a lake, surrounded by woods. Unique position at the height of 1000 meter, no traffic and a lot of possibilities of leisure an hiking activities.
In summer it is possible to swim in the lake. The nearby located small villages “Lechaschau“ and “Reutte“ are only 2 and 4 km distant.
LOCATION OF “FRAUENSEE“ TO CITIES LIKE “MÜNCHEN“, “INNSBRUCK“ AND “FÜSSEN“:
ACCOMODATION:
All rooms are equipped with central heating and a sink (hot and cold water).
At the ground floor there is a complete equipped kitchen, a small and a big breakout room and a refectory. Besides there are two big terraces and enough toilettes and bathrooms with shower and bathtubs.
JOURNEY THERE:
With car and small bus via 1,5 km long mountain road. Places to park are close to the house.
COLLETION AT CENTRAL STATION “REUTTE“:
Rail connections from Munich to Reutte:
- The fastest connection is 2,5 hours from Munich via “Garmisch-Partenkirchen“: departure times at 15th of September: 6:32 am, 8:32 am and 10:32 with the regional train
- Another connection from Munich is via „Füssen“, departure times at 15th of September: 6:53 am, 8:53 am und 11:52 am with regional train and Bus
- There is also a connection via “Kempten“, departure times at 15th of September: 7:20 am, 8:52 am, 9:19 am und 11:19 am with regional train ALX
Connections from Innsbruck:
- Connections from Innsbruck via Mittenwald and Garmisch-Partenkirchen with regional train
FEES:
Early booking discount: € 350. (including accommodation & food), by bank transfer not later than 15th of August 2014. After this date the price is € 400.
20€ Discount for the one who participate to the workshop “RADIX” on the 11 May 2014.
Transfer workshop fee with the code word “Frauensee 2014” to our account:
Alexander Wenzlik
Münchner Bank eG
IBAN: DE297019 0000 0001 7117 76
BIC: GENODEF1M01
CONTACT/INFORMATION/REGISTRATION:
info@asperformance.de
Alexander Wenzlik 0049.(0)160.96487583
Seda Büyüktürkler 0049.(0)157.52977553
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