© Edwin Paree
Improvisation is deeply connected to the nervous system, ways of acting and reacting, as well as to a state of body and mind that precedes movement itself. It is, in effect, a somatic process that can manifest itself in various forms, including dance. Improvisation can make Contact Improvisation more creative and foster, as Steve Paxton argued, a process of perceptual growth and greater awareness of the body in space and in relation to others.
Improvisation is in our human nature, it's the mechanism by which we evolve. Encountering a dance full of unexpected elements can sometimes cause tissue closure. This workshop aims to connect with our innate physical intelligence. Speed, playfulness, and a propensity for risk can coexist generously and safely when integrated into this solid foundation.
Michele Marchesani will source from his longterm experience in fascia work (as Tatto Interno). He encountered Contact Improvisation in 2004 at an international festival where he was invited to teach dancers about fascia perception. Since the beginning of his studies, his approach to Contact Improvisation has always been somatic. In March 2023, he compiled research and writings into a book, Somatics of Contact Improvisation.
