"Credibility X Legitimacy"
Keywords: legitimacy, credibility, self-censorship, inferiority, need for validation, others' judgements and expectations
research
Have you ever felt yourself illegitimate? Have you already doubted on your own credibility? Have you ever hesitated to enter an art space, speak up in a political conversation, join an activist community, because you felt that you maybe don't have enough knowledge to have relevant things to say, or enough personal experience to have interesting feedback to share? Why do we feel excluded in some cases, why do we have the feeling of not having the right to express ourselves on this or that topic or to fight for this or that cause? Why do we have this inferiority syndrome and why do we practice self-censorship? Is it due to a lack of academic knowledge, or a need for validation?
Can a men create a feminist artwork? Can a rich person talk about poverty? Can a cis heterosexual person claim for queer rights? Can someone defend minority groups without being part of? Can I talk without reading ? Can I express my opinion without having theoretical references? Do my experiences and emotions have the same weight as my knowledge? Can knowledge replace personal experiences? Is experience a type of knowledge by the way? What should I do, what should I know, who should I be, what story should I have to obtain the legitimacy and the credibility to fight for those values and ideologies I truly believe in, but I am personally not concerned with?
Can a men create a feminist artwork? Can a rich person talk about poverty? Can a cis heterosexual person claim for queer rights? Can someone defend minority groups without being part of? Can I talk without reading ? Can I express my opinion without having theoretical references? Do my experiences and emotions have the same weight as my knowledge? Can knowledge replace personal experiences? Is experience a type of knowledge by the way? What should I do, what should I know, who should I be, what story should I have to obtain the legitimacy and the credibility to fight for those values and ideologies I truly believe in, but I am personally not concerned with?
during the classes, activities will involve
Play fight, performance, movement research, creative writing...
play fight
Through the experimentation and practice of play fighting and movement improvisation, you will be encouraged to raise your voice, echo freely the broader socio-political context, challenge hegemonic class, gender, normative behaviors, and dominant ideologies, develop your capacities to resist and revolt against others' judgements, expectations and oppression. During the workshop-audition, instead of "contemporary dancing", reproducing shapes, proving to the others our flexibility and technical knowledge, we will develop self-confidence, learn the difference between acceptable and unacceptable, rehearse to say "no" and shout for "help", recycle denials and fears into self-empowerment and courage.
practical information
- Schedule: You don't have to follow the whole program, you can select the day(s) when you want to join us.
Wed, Dec. 1. 14-17h - "Self-censorship, fear of speaking"
Thu, Dec. 2. 14-17h - "Inferiority, self-confidence"
Fri, Dec. 3. 14-17h - "Need for validation"
Sat, Dec. 4. 14-17h - "Others' judgements, Expectations"
- Venue: Maubuisson Abbey - Regional Museum of Contemporary Art, Saint-Ouen-l'Aumône (FR), Professional dance studio
- Number of participants: 8 women
- Tuition fee: 40 € / day
- Application process: here
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