Practical Works at Mica Moca project space
Lindowerstr. 22, Berlin (S+U Wedding)
12-18 September 2011
From 12-18 September Practical Works/Active Culture was in residence at Mica Moca project space in Wedding.
The program for the week included:
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Tuesday evening + Thursday morning: |
open session of Body/Voice Performer Training with Peter Rose. |
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Saturday + Sunday evening:
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„Main Street“ – Performance
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„On the Road to Active Culture“, September 11-18, 2011, Practical Works at Mica Moca Project Berlin, was a defining action in the life of our core group. Mica Moca Project was looking for “cultural generators” to catalyze life in the sprawling former factory with multiple studios, large and small and a courtyard big enough for everyone.
One studio had a wood floor. We took it. We sanded the floor and immediately thereafter the space became our work landscape.
The two-tiered studio gave us greater range and adventure. The following day we began rehearsals and gradually a small band of local children assembled at the window to watch us work out, dance and sing. They climbed through the window (all six of them) and sat quietly on a bank in awe as we worked. They were an inspiration in fostering a “level of attention” for our work. We had captured theirs and their attention and solidarity stuck for the whole week.
The following evening we offered an open session of Performer Training, an opportunity without the usual rigors to stretch, take the time for one-self and engage the life of this new-born studio, with Lenjes Duke Robinson on percussion. Thursday, after the Training, we celebrated Cecile Rossant’s birthday.
There were multiple activities occurring at Mica Moca and people inevitably were drawn to the studio, the action, the voices, the energy. We worked with an exceptional unity of purpose regardless of the activity: sanding, rehearsing, Performer Training or the week-end performances of MAIN ST.
The quality of the week permeated the improvement in the quality of our performances. Yatziv Caspi and Akira Ando on tablas and contrabass rehearsed with a level of attention that supported the bold steps taken by both Barbara Smilowska and Annamaria Faraone during rehearsal and performances. I believe there were qualitative breakthroughs for every participant.
The demands of the work are considerable and there are no guarantees. The week-long residency at Mica Moca, coordinated by Annamaria Faraone, tested our core group and revealed our creative strengths and determination.
