Material for the Spine
„Material For The Spine is a system. It attempts to examine the spine of Contact Improvisation.“ — Steve Paxton (2008)
Steve Paxton developed Material for the Spine in 1986 as an exploration of the movement possibilities within the muscles surrounding the spine, as well as the connections between the head, pelvis, and vertebrae. This solo practice is supported by specific exercises, body puzzles and ideokinetic imagery. It helps to strengthen the foundation of a person’s movement. Otto Ramstad followed Steve Paxton’s work of contact improvisation since 1996 and Paxton’s Material For The Spine since 2010. He will lead this introductory workshop to Material for the Spine incorporating his background as a performer, Contact Improviser and Body-Mind Centering® teacher.
is a dance artist working with movement research to create performances, video work and installations for theatres, galleries, museums and different site and context specific encounters. He is a Certified Teacher of Body-Mind Centering® and teaches at trainings internationally.
For twenty years he has been collaborating with Olive Bieringa as BodyCartography Project. The mission of BodyCartography Project is to engage with the vital materiality of our bodies to create live performance that facilitates a re-enchantment of embodiment, relationship, and presence. BodyCartography has been creating performances, films, installations, and festivals internationally in urban, domestic, wild, and social landscapes.
This training runs from 07 to 17 Jan 2020.