about
Your summer retreat distinguishes itself with its intimate setting, hosting a maximum of four participants, and its unique focus on both learning—developing skills, methods, and experiences—and unlearning—shedding limiting beliefs, self-depreciating thoughts, and harmful automatisms.
Combining creative writing, voice training, and choreographic research, this retreat offers an exploration into the use of text and spoken words to influence and enhance performance, challenging the connection between language and body, text and movement.
Each day commences with rejuvenating activities like meditation, yoga, or a refreshing swim in Lake Balaton. Mornings are dedicated to delving into creative writing, movement, and voice research through inventive exercises and innovative methods. In the afternoons, participants will translate their written work, voice, and movement explorations into dynamic text-based performances. They'll have the chance to integrate elements such as lighting, costumes, scenography, and music into their evening presentations.
Recognizing the importance of rest and rejuvenation, the retreat offers an experience that balances activity with moments of relaxation and introspection.
CREATIVE WRITING
In this summer retreat, the focus will be on expressive writing and text-based art creation in various forms. Participants can choose to write in their mother tongue or English. Through diverse topics, they'll explore different types of poetry and prose styles, responding to quotes, immersive experiences, audio-visual material, and archives. Strategies for developing personal style, avoiding "writer’s block," and overcoming the "fear of the blank page" will be addressed. Engaging in immersive experiences will provide space and time to discover contemporary authors, draw inspiration from their work, and engage in debates to foster critical thinking.
PERFORMING TEXTS AND WORDS
Throughout the retreat, you'll regularly present your texts and craft lecture performances or sound poetry pieces, either individually or collaboratively. Exploring the power of dialogue, texts, and words to enrich performance, whether in dance or physical theatre, you'll delve into the works of non-canonical choreographers and visual artists who incorporate narrative texts, speech, prose, drama, poetry, or abstract words into their creations. Engaging in discussions on the role of language and linguistics in dance and performance, you'll challenge the conventional connection between language and the body, text, and movement.
PUBLICATION
With your permission, following the retreat, your texts will be published online.
Combining creative writing, voice training, and choreographic research, this retreat offers an exploration into the use of text and spoken words to influence and enhance performance, challenging the connection between language and body, text and movement.
Each day commences with rejuvenating activities like meditation, yoga, or a refreshing swim in Lake Balaton. Mornings are dedicated to delving into creative writing, movement, and voice research through inventive exercises and innovative methods. In the afternoons, participants will translate their written work, voice, and movement explorations into dynamic text-based performances. They'll have the chance to integrate elements such as lighting, costumes, scenography, and music into their evening presentations.
Recognizing the importance of rest and rejuvenation, the retreat offers an experience that balances activity with moments of relaxation and introspection.
CREATIVE WRITING
In this summer retreat, the focus will be on expressive writing and text-based art creation in various forms. Participants can choose to write in their mother tongue or English. Through diverse topics, they'll explore different types of poetry and prose styles, responding to quotes, immersive experiences, audio-visual material, and archives. Strategies for developing personal style, avoiding "writer’s block," and overcoming the "fear of the blank page" will be addressed. Engaging in immersive experiences will provide space and time to discover contemporary authors, draw inspiration from their work, and engage in debates to foster critical thinking.
PERFORMING TEXTS AND WORDS
Throughout the retreat, you'll regularly present your texts and craft lecture performances or sound poetry pieces, either individually or collaboratively. Exploring the power of dialogue, texts, and words to enrich performance, whether in dance or physical theatre, you'll delve into the works of non-canonical choreographers and visual artists who incorporate narrative texts, speech, prose, drama, poetry, or abstract words into their creations. Engaging in discussions on the role of language and linguistics in dance and performance, you'll challenge the conventional connection between language and the body, text, and movement.
PUBLICATION
With your permission, following the retreat, your texts will be published online.
daily schedule
camp 1: june 3-6
DAY 1, June 3 - Topic: Healing Garden
DAY 2, June 4 - Topic: Personal Mythologies
DAY 3, June 5 - Topic: Photography Album
DAY 4, June 6 - Topic: Body Archive
- Check in from 10h
- Arrival
- Welcoming Ceremony / Creative Writing / Lecture Performance
- Discussion-Philosophy / Presentation / Introduction
DAY 2, June 4 - Topic: Personal Mythologies
- Optional: Morning gym / Running / Swimming
- Morning: Discussion-Philosophy-Inspiration / Creative Writing
- Afternoon: Voice training / Reading group / Lecture performance creation with light / sound / prop / costume design
- Evening: Presentation & Feedback / Relaxation
DAY 3, June 5 - Topic: Photography Album
- Optional: morning gym / running / swimming
- Morning: Discussion-Philosophy-Inspiration / Creative Writing
- Afternoon: Voice training / Reading group / Lecture performance creation with light / sound / prop / costume design
- Evening: Presentation & Feedback / Relaxation
DAY 4, June 6 - Topic: Body Archive
- Creative Writing
- Ending Ceremony
- Feedback
- Check out
camp 2: september 9-12
DAY 1, September 9 - Topic: Exploring Love and Desire Through Avant-Garde Writing Techniques
DAY 2, September 10 - Topic: Deconstructing Relationship Dynamics Through Structuralist Analysis
DAY 3, September 11 - Topic: Separation and Loss in Postmodern Literature
DAY 4, September 12 - Topic: Grounding & Processing
- Optional: Morning gym / Running / Swimming
- Introduction to Avant-Garde Literature, focusing on its experimental nature and innovative approaches to storytelling.
- Analysis of Monique Wittig's "The Guerilleres": Explore how Wittig's avant-garde narrative techniques challenge traditional notions of love, desire, and relationships. Discuss the use of fragmented narrative, nonlinear structure, and linguistic experimentation.
- Writing Exercises
- Sharing (Reading Group / Lecture Performances)
DAY 2, September 10 - Topic: Deconstructing Relationship Dynamics Through Structuralist Analysis
- Optional: Morning gym / Running / Swimming
- Introduction to Structuralism, focusing on Roland Barthes's theories of narrative structure and sign systems.
- Analysis of Roland Barthes's "A Lover's Discourse: Fragments": Examine how Barthes deconstructs the language of love and relationships through fragmented narrative and semiotic analysis. Discuss how he challenges traditional narratives of romance and explores the underlying power dynamics in relationships.
- Writing Exercises
- Sharing (Reading Group / Lecture Performances)
DAY 3, September 11 - Topic: Separation and Loss in Postmodern Literature
- Optional: Morning gym / Running / Swimming
- Introduction to Postmodernism, focusing on its skepticism towards grand narratives and its exploration of fragmented identities.
- Analysis of Marguerite Duras's "The Lover": Explore how Duras's novel portrays themes of separation and loss within the context of a forbidden love affair. Discuss her use of fragmented memory, nonlinear narrative, and lyrical prose to evoke a sense of longing and nostalgia.
- Writing Exercises
- Sharing (Reading Group / Lecture Performances)
DAY 4, September 12 - Topic: Grounding & Processing
- Optional: Morning gym / Running / Swimming
- On this final day of our autumn retreat, we dedicate our time to feedback, grounding, and reflection. Through thoughtful questions and prompts, you'll explore your thoughts and emotions, fostering self-discovery and clarity. Take this opportunity to reconnect with yourself and engage in meaningful reflection.
practical information
Dates: June 3-6 or September 9-12, 2024
Unlearning Facilitator: Anna Ádám
Born in Budapest, Hungary, in 1983, Anna Ádám is an interdisciplinary artist working within the expanded field of performance art, community activism, and choreography. She has more than two decades of experience working as an artist, unlearning facilitator (Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, University of Artois, National Dance Conservatory Yerevan...), and program director. In 2014 she co-founded in Berlin the performance company "Gray Box", which is today based in Paris and touring through Europe. Mixing empowerment methods with critical pedagogy and arts-based-unlearning techniques, she also founded the first non-canonical and anti-academic "Performance + Art School" - the "School of Disobedience".
Language (speaking / writing / reading): Participants come from Hungary and abroad, so communication will be in English. However, you are strongly encouraged to write your texts in your mother tongue. You can also decide to write in your mother tongue and translate your text or parts of it into English later. Whatever you feel like.
Venue / Accommodation: Simple and basic traditional Hungarian summer house (no wifi) in Balatonalmádi (Hungary), 5 minutes walk from the beach with 2 shared bedrooms (2 bed + 2 mattress / room), shared bathroom, terrace, garden…
Creative infrastructure for lecture performances: 9 x professional RGB Led Theater Lights, 1 light controller desk, many props, costumes and accessories, makeup and body paintings, large carpets, fabrics, various textiles, professional speakers...
Application deadline: Ongoing (1 spot left for summer, 4 spots left for autumn)
Number of participants: min. 2 - max. 4 / camp
Conditions: Open for all women, regardless of age, professional, artistic or educational background…
Vegetarian food: 3x / day
Price:
Values & more about our "Healing Centre": HERE
Unlearning Facilitator: Anna Ádám
Born in Budapest, Hungary, in 1983, Anna Ádám is an interdisciplinary artist working within the expanded field of performance art, community activism, and choreography. She has more than two decades of experience working as an artist, unlearning facilitator (Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, University of Artois, National Dance Conservatory Yerevan...), and program director. In 2014 she co-founded in Berlin the performance company "Gray Box", which is today based in Paris and touring through Europe. Mixing empowerment methods with critical pedagogy and arts-based-unlearning techniques, she also founded the first non-canonical and anti-academic "Performance + Art School" - the "School of Disobedience".
Language (speaking / writing / reading): Participants come from Hungary and abroad, so communication will be in English. However, you are strongly encouraged to write your texts in your mother tongue. You can also decide to write in your mother tongue and translate your text or parts of it into English later. Whatever you feel like.
Venue / Accommodation: Simple and basic traditional Hungarian summer house (no wifi) in Balatonalmádi (Hungary), 5 minutes walk from the beach with 2 shared bedrooms (2 bed + 2 mattress / room), shared bathroom, terrace, garden…
Creative infrastructure for lecture performances: 9 x professional RGB Led Theater Lights, 1 light controller desk, many props, costumes and accessories, makeup and body paintings, large carpets, fabrics, various textiles, professional speakers...
Application deadline: Ongoing (1 spot left for summer, 4 spots left for autumn)
Number of participants: min. 2 - max. 4 / camp
Conditions: Open for all women, regardless of age, professional, artistic or educational background…
Vegetarian food: 3x / day
Price:
- REGULAR PRICE: 500 € / retreat
- WORK EXCHANGE OPTION FOR HUNGARIANS:
Values & more about our "Healing Centre": HERE