The project was working towards a final performance, which should close the project. It was centered around the same intention as the lessons were: How can we experience and learn about democracy in a physical way?
Before the rehearsals started, some of the participants started wondering how this topic of democracy would become more visible. Later they realised that they had already experienced it without even noticing.Taking part in the diverse lessons allowed them to experience democracy in a more versatile and body centered way. We are so used to only think with our mind and only discuss with our tongue, that we sometimes forget that there is much more than theoretical thinking and learning.
Loreen and Deborah guided the participants through the rehearsals, both worked on their own with the group first and then came together in cooperation.
In the beginning, Loreen worked with more or less provocative quotes from famous personalities all on the topic of democracy. The participants could choose a quote they felt drawn to either in a positive or in a negative way and then had to create a movement phrase for a solo, connected to the quote. It was quite astonishing what came out in the short time they had to create as well as the bravery with which they presented their work openly to the group. On the other side, the group was very supportive and nonjudgmental in holding the space for everybody's showing. Here are some examples of the quotes:
“If voting made any difference they wouldn’t let us do it.” – Mark Twain
“If you do not take an interest in the affairs of your government, then you are doomed to live under the rule of fools.” - Plato
“Demokratie. Keiner macht sich Gedanken. Und jeder darf sagen, was er will.” - Werner Mitsch
Following that, they took part in a small yes/no quiz, all personal questions about their social background, interests, education, religion etc. They also experienced it in a physical way, having a “yes” side in the room and a “no” side on the other side of the room. It was quite interesting to see the group moving like a swarm or just a few people dripping from one side to the other. It highlighted the questions and gave them more substance compared to just talking about them. Some of the questions as an example:
Did you grow up in the city or in the countryside?
Do you have prejudices against other people?
Would you call your surroundings diverse?
In a team (duos or trios) they got some questions which they could discuss freely in the beginning. Afterwards, they had to draw three forms, and connect them with each other in curved or straight lines, zig zag or loops. Eventually they created a movement phrase with their whole body inspired by the forms and pathways on the paper. Then they connected it to the questions they had discussed before. They dove into the process of melting the created material together, completing each other and creating a complete choreography. It's a challenging task to listen to everybody and learn someone else’s movements since we all have a different body and way of moving. A lot of patience, understanding, feeling for the group and willingness to find compromises is needed, which luckily was very visible in the group. Here are some examples of the discussion questions:
Is in a democracy every opinion worth the same? Do we have to accept intolerant opinions?
Is it possible to make decisions in a group without leaving one’s opinion behind?
Does everybody have to bring themselves in in a democracy? Or is democracy the freedom of not having to bring yourself in?
Deborah was working in her rehearsals using tools from Kung Fu/ Martial Arts. The exercises were researching the situation of being attacked, comparing it to a conflict and evaluating the choice it inheres. The participants learned about approaching conflicting situations with curiosity rather than remaining a rigid stance. Leaving the place of believing in limited options in order to find out that one can always assume that other options exist. Seeing conflict and differences between people as a place of possibilities. In a Kung Fu class the ultimate goal is to bring each other to the point where one is able to learn more about themselves through thinking with other bodies in conflict. Moreover, giving up the ego to be one with the group when doing exercises such as “form work”. It is about having the generosity to lead and the humbleness to follow, all at the same time. Many martial arts teachers don’t speak very much and one learns through the body, experience and instinct, rather than through the correction of an outside eye.
Throughout the lessons the participants also worked with bamboo short sticks and experienced different ways of avoiding each other and changing pathways. For the performance they marched as a swarm through the room while staying in the same rhythm with the others, feeling the strong energy of a group moving together.
The performance itself was an exciting experience for everybody involved in the project. It’s very special to be on the stage for the first time, with lights and costumes. In this case the performance was filmed which is a very different experience than performing for a live audience but due to the current situation the only possibility we had. One week later the participants were happy to share their performance with an online audience in a zoom session.
After the filming was done, the group sat together with the teachers and assistance and had an open conversation about the project, evaluating how they felt in the process and how they developed. One of the participants said he could identify with the quote of Sokrates: "I know that I know nothing" in relation to this very new dance experience. He explained that he learned what he can and can't do, but without being confronted with any kind of judgment from the group or even himself. He saw himself as someone who can't dance but found out that although he might not learn to dance like a professional within a few weeks but that he can move and have fun while doing it.