Call for Participants! Unicorn Research Labs: “Space Is the Place” Workshop

Call for Participants!
Unicorn Research Labs: “Space Is the Place” Workshop
Theatre Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki
21-22 and 24 April, 2015

Consider the paradoxical nature of the unicorn as a queer symbol. On the one hand, the unicorn is mythical – it does not exist – but on the other it is also a magical being, and serves as a powerful symbol of queerness. Can we imagine the possibility of some magical excess emerging from invisibility and erasure in queer performance – something not previously known or knowable? Can absence itself be thought of as a queer kind of presence and appropriated as a queer performance strategy?

Unicorn Research Labs are a series of workshops focused around the issue of queer presence in performance. Is presence a question of technique? How can we approach this question from a queer perspective? How can we challenge what it means to be present, queering the dichotomy between presence and absence? There will be three in total, each dealing with some relation to absence not as a lack, but as part of a spectrum of possible ways of be(com)ing.

“Space Is the Place” is the final workshop in this series, exploring these questions in relation to space. It is happening on 21-22 and 24 April, from 1-5pm at the Theatre Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki. It is open to anyone, whether or not they identify as queer. Participants may sign up for the entire workshop or one or two afternoons. The language used will be English.

Please email david.frankovich@uniarts.fi to register, or if you have any questions.

What: Unicorn Research Labs: “Space Is the Place” Workshop
Where: Theatre Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki, Haapaniemenkatu 6, Helsinki
When: 21-22 and 24 April (1-5pm)
Cost: FREE

photo by Monika Sobczak
photo by Monika Sobczak

Call for Participants! Unicorn Research Labs: “Stillness Is the Move” Workshop

Call for Participants!
Unicorn Research Labs: “Stillness Is the Move” Workshop
Theatre Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki
18-19 April, 2015

Consider the paradoxical nature of the unicorn as a queer symbol. On the one hand, the unicorn is mythical – it does not exist – but on the other it is also a magical being, and serves as a powerful symbol of queerness. Can there be the possibility of some magical excess emerging from invisibility and erasure in queer performance – something not previously known or knowable? Can absence itself be thought of as a queer kind of presence and appropriated as a queer performance strategy?

Unicorn Research Labs are a series of workshops focused around the issue of queer presence in performance. Is presence a question of technique? How can we approach this question from a queer perspective? How can we challenge what it means to be present, problematizing the dichotomy between presence and absence? There will be three in total, each dealing with some relation to absence not as a lack, but as part of a spectrum of possible ways of be(com)ing.

“Stillness Is the Move,” the second workshop in this series will explore stillness in relation to movement. The workshop will happen on 18-19 April, from 10am to 2pm at the Theatre Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki. They are open to anyone, whether or not they identify as queer. Participants may sign up for one or both mornings. Please bring comfortable clothes for moving around in. The language used will be English.

Please email david.frankovich@uniarts.fi to register, or if you have any questions.

What: Unicorn Research Labs: “Stillness Is the Move” Workshop
Where: Theatre Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki, Haapaniemenkatu 6, Helsinki
When: 18-19 April (10am – 2pm)

still from Plus De Deux

Call for Participants! Unicorn Research Labs: “Enjoy the Silence” Workshop

Call for Participants!
Unicorn Research Labs: “Enjoy the Silence” Workshop
Theatre Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki
30 March – 2 April, 2015

Consider the paradoxical nature of the unicorn as a queer symbol. On the one hand, the unicorn is mythical – it does not exist – but on the other it is also a magical being, and serves as a powerful symbol of queerness. Can there be the possibility of some magical excess emerging from invisibility and erasure in queer performance – something not previously known or knowable? Can absence itself be thought of as a queer kind of presence and appropriated as a queer performance strategy?

Unicorn Research Labs are a series of workshops focused around the issue of queer presence in performance. Is presence a question of technique? How can we approach this question from a queer perspective? How can we challenge what it means to be present, problematizing the dichotomy between presence and absence? There will be three in total, each dealing with some relation to absence not as a lack, but as part of a spectrum of possible ways of be(com)ing.

“Enjoy the Silence,” the first workshop in this series will explore sound, voice, silence, listening, text and score. It will take place 30 March – 1 April from 10-17 and 2 April from 10-15 at the Theatre Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki. Participants are asked to bring 3 songs that they connect with that they know the words to and 3 materials they are drawn to that produce a sound. Participation is open to anyone, whether or not they identify as queer. The language used will be English.

Space is limited. Email david.frankovich@uniarts.fi to reserve a space.

What: Unicorn Research Labs: “Enjoy the Silence” Workshop
Where: Theatre Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki, Haapaniemenkatu 6, Helsinki
When: 30 March – 1 April (10-17), 2 April (10-15)

photo by Monika Sobczak
photo by Monika Sobczak