about
Welcome to our autumn retreat, where we embark on an immersive exploration at the intersection of fashion design and the performing arts. Here, we transcend traditional boundaries, reimagining the catwalk as a dynamic theater stage and fashion collections as conceptual art pieces. Through a blend of theoretical inquiry and hands-on practice, participants delve into the rich tapestry of the performative, choreographic, and narrative potentials inherent in fashion shows.
Our journey begins by delving deep into the essence of fashion as performance, where garments become more than mere attire but embodiments of stories, emotions, and cultural narratives. We experiment with diverse silhouettes, materials, and design elements, pushing the boundaries of conventional fashion presentation. Through interdisciplinary workshops and discussions, we unpack the complex relationship between fashion and societal structures, exploring themes of identity, body politics, and gender expression from a critical feminist lens.
Throughout the retreat, participants engage in a dynamic array of activities, ranging from critical theory discussions and analysis of audiovisual materials to vibrant styling exercises and immersive movement practices. Guided by an experienced facilitator, attendees are encouraged to embrace experimentation and challenge preconceived notions, allowing for the emergence of innovative and boundary-pushing ideas.
At the heart of our retreat lies the creation of fashion-performances, where participants translate their newfound insights and creative explorations into tangible expressions. Drawing inspiration from their personal narratives, social observations, and collective experiences, participants craft immersive fashion experiences that transcend the traditional confines of runway shows. The culmination of the retreat sees the presentation of these unique fashion-performances, offering a glimpse into a world where fashion becomes a medium for storytelling, cultural critique, and artistic expression.
Our journey begins by delving deep into the essence of fashion as performance, where garments become more than mere attire but embodiments of stories, emotions, and cultural narratives. We experiment with diverse silhouettes, materials, and design elements, pushing the boundaries of conventional fashion presentation. Through interdisciplinary workshops and discussions, we unpack the complex relationship between fashion and societal structures, exploring themes of identity, body politics, and gender expression from a critical feminist lens.
Throughout the retreat, participants engage in a dynamic array of activities, ranging from critical theory discussions and analysis of audiovisual materials to vibrant styling exercises and immersive movement practices. Guided by an experienced facilitator, attendees are encouraged to embrace experimentation and challenge preconceived notions, allowing for the emergence of innovative and boundary-pushing ideas.
At the heart of our retreat lies the creation of fashion-performances, where participants translate their newfound insights and creative explorations into tangible expressions. Drawing inspiration from their personal narratives, social observations, and collective experiences, participants craft immersive fashion experiences that transcend the traditional confines of runway shows. The culmination of the retreat sees the presentation of these unique fashion-performances, offering a glimpse into a world where fashion becomes a medium for storytelling, cultural critique, and artistic expression.
schedule
DAY 1, September 16 - Topic: Understanding Fashion as Performance
- Discussion: Analyzing the role of movement, choreography, and narrative in fashion performance.
- Creative Exploration: Collaborative improvisation session exploring movement and gesture in relation to clothing and accessories.
- Sharing and Feedback: Reflect on and discuss the outcomes of the styling exercises, receiving constructive feedback from peers and facilitators.
DAY 2, September 17 - Topic: Choreographic Experimentation
- Case Study Analysis: Deconstructing fashion performances by artists such as Hussein Chalayan, Alexander McQueen, and Rei Kawakubo.
- Group Discussion: Exploring the relationship between fashion, identity, and embodiment in choreographic contexts.
- Creative Session: Collaborative creation of short fashion performances, integrating movement, music, and costume.
- Presentation and Feedback: Share the developed fashion performances with the group, receiving feedback on choreography, concept, and execution.
DAY 3, September 18 - Topic: Critical Perspectives and Social Commentary
- Discussion: Feminist Perspectives in Fashion: Analyzing the work of feminist designers and artists who use fashion as a platform for social and political commentary.
- Rehearsal: Finalization and refinement of fashion performances, focusing on precision, timing, and expression.
- Fashion Performance Showcase: Presentation of the developed fashion performances either in public space or in the garden to an invited audience, incorporating music, lighting, and staging elements.
- Feedback Session: Facilitated discussion and feedback session with the audience and peers, offering reflections on the performances and celebrating achievements.
DAY 4, September 19 - Topic: Culmination and Reflection
During the Fashion Performance retreat, participants will draw inspiration from various disciplines, including theater (such as Jerome Bel), contemporary art (featuring artists like Franz Erhard Walther, Rebecca Horn, and Annette Messager), and fashion (including renowned figures like Hussein Chalayan, Nozomi Ishiguro, Tamás Király, and Rick Owens). These diverse references will enrich the program, offering participants valuable context and inspiration for their creative explorations within the realm of fashion performance.
- Morning Session:
- Discussion: Analyzing the role of movement, choreography, and narrative in fashion performance.
- Afternoon Session:
- Creative Exploration: Collaborative improvisation session exploring movement and gesture in relation to clothing and accessories.
- Sharing and Feedback: Reflect on and discuss the outcomes of the styling exercises, receiving constructive feedback from peers and facilitators.
DAY 2, September 17 - Topic: Choreographic Experimentation
- Morning Session:
- Case Study Analysis: Deconstructing fashion performances by artists such as Hussein Chalayan, Alexander McQueen, and Rei Kawakubo.
- Group Discussion: Exploring the relationship between fashion, identity, and embodiment in choreographic contexts.
- Afternoon Session:
- Creative Session: Collaborative creation of short fashion performances, integrating movement, music, and costume.
- Presentation and Feedback: Share the developed fashion performances with the group, receiving feedback on choreography, concept, and execution.
DAY 3, September 18 - Topic: Critical Perspectives and Social Commentary
- Morning Session:
- Discussion: Feminist Perspectives in Fashion: Analyzing the work of feminist designers and artists who use fashion as a platform for social and political commentary.
- Rehearsal: Finalization and refinement of fashion performances, focusing on precision, timing, and expression.
- Afternoon Session:
- Fashion Performance Showcase: Presentation of the developed fashion performances either in public space or in the garden to an invited audience, incorporating music, lighting, and staging elements.
- Feedback Session: Facilitated discussion and feedback session with the audience and peers, offering reflections on the performances and celebrating achievements.
DAY 4, September 19 - Topic: Culmination and Reflection
- Morning Session:
- Afternoon Session:
During the Fashion Performance retreat, participants will draw inspiration from various disciplines, including theater (such as Jerome Bel), contemporary art (featuring artists like Franz Erhard Walther, Rebecca Horn, and Annette Messager), and fashion (including renowned figures like Hussein Chalayan, Nozomi Ishiguro, Tamás Király, and Rick Owens). These diverse references will enrich the program, offering participants valuable context and inspiration for their creative explorations within the realm of fashion performance.
your learning outcomes
- Understanding Fashion as Performance: Gain insight into the performative nature of fashion, exploring how clothing serves as a medium for storytelling, expression, and cultural critique.
- Choreographic and Narrative Exploration: Delve into choreographic and narrative techniques within the context of fashion design, discovering how movement, composition, and storytelling intersect in fashion-performances.
- Critical Analysis and Social Commentary: Develop a critical understanding of fashion's role in society, examining its implications on identity, body politics, and gender expression from a feminist perspective.
- Creative Experimentation: Engage in hands-on experimentation with silhouettes, materials, and design elements, pushing the boundaries of traditional fashion presentation and exploring innovative approaches to garment construction and styling.
- Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Foster collaboration and interdisciplinary exchange with fellow participants, facilitating the synthesis of diverse perspectives and approaches in the creation of fashion-performances.
practical information
Date: September 16-19
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 Art School: the "School of Disobedience".
Venue / Accommodation: Simple and basic traditional Hungarian summer house (no wifi) next to lake Balaton (Hungary), 5 minutes walk from the beach with 2 shared bedrooms (2 bed + 2 mattress / room), shared bathroom, terrace, garden…
Creative infrastructure / Performance Art facilities: 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
Number of participants: min. 2 - max. 4 women / retreat
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 Art School: the "School of Disobedience".
Venue / Accommodation: Simple and basic traditional Hungarian summer house (no wifi) next to lake Balaton (Hungary), 5 minutes walk from the beach with 2 shared bedrooms (2 bed + 2 mattress / room), shared bathroom, terrace, garden…
Creative infrastructure / Performance Art facilities: 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
Number of participants: min. 2 - max. 4 women / retreat
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