International Conference: Laban’s Philosophy and Theatre Practice, Athens 16-18 July 2018
Programme announced –
The programme includes leading international practitioners from various Institutions
Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Surrey University, Coventry University, University of Patras, University of Kent, Cispa (Copenhagen International School of Performing Art) Denmark, University of Hildesheim Germany, Trinity Laban, University of Essex, University of Winchester, University of Campinas, Brazil (UNICAMP), National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Liverpool John Moores University, IMALIS Center for Ancient Hellenic Theatre of Epidaurus, National School of Dance (KSOT) Greece, Thriassio Hospital Greece.
Monday 16th July 17.00 Keynote Speakers Pr. Mark Evans Coventry University, Juliet Champers-Coe Surrey University
Papers:
Vasilis Arabos Alison Curtis-Jones Clio Fanouraki
Dr. Despina Kosmopoulou Efi Koutantou Andromachi Salacha
Melina Scialom Michael Richard Seibel Vicky Spanovangelis,
Dr Olu Taiwo Valentina Temussi Dr Dionysios Tsaftaridis
Workshops
Tuesday 17th July
12.00-15.00 Juliet Chambers-Coe University of Surrey & Dr. Roanna Mitchell University of Kent (Laban & Chekhov)
16.00-19.00 Dr Kiki Selioni Royal Central School of Speech and Drama (Laban and Biophysical Acting: The British Acting School)
Wednesday 18th July
12.00-15.00 Lars Henning Artistic Director of CISPA (Laban and Malmgren Movement Psychology System)
16.00-19.00 Dr Katia Savrami University of Patras (Laban and Greek Theatre/Chorus).
We are very much looking forward to seeing many of our colleagues of the acting and theatre community. We also welcome those interested in the theatre art practices and we hope you are able to join us for this special event in Athens.
For info and bookings of the event please write to: kiki.selioni@cssd.ac.uk
16-18 July 2018 – Athens, Greece Organised by Dr Kiki Selioni Post-doc Researcher RCSSD, Labanarium and MCF
Conference Venue: Michael Cacoyannis Foundation, Peiraios 206, Tavros, Athens, Greece.
Post-doctoral Researcher Dr Kiki Selioni RCSSD, Labanarium and MCF have taken the initiative to organise a Labanarium event in Athens. The aim is to create an international event to meet colleagues, practitioners and researchers, to share experiences, knowledge and current research practices in the field of actor-training and performance practices.
Professor Mark Evans, Coventry University and Juliet Chambers-Coe, University of Surrey are invited to be the Keynote speakers.
Laban, in his book The Mastery of Movement on the Stage (1950) writes:
“It is obvious that the artist’s procedure in observing movements and analysing and practically applying his knowledge differs in several respects from that of the scientist. But a synthesis of scientific and artistic movement observation is highly desirable, for otherwise the movement-research of the artist is likely to become as specialised in one direction as that of the scientist in the other. Balanced effort can be created at both cases, but only when the scientist leans from the artist how to acquire the necessary sensitivity to the significance of movement, and when the artist learns from the scientist how to bring into his own visionary awareness of its inner meaning” Laban (1950: 107).
The connection between science and art is an issue that is stemming from the ancient Greek philosophy when art is considered to be a science; Poetic science. Poetic sciences which are the ‘know how’ in all professions that have to do with productive creation. This productive creation is completed in the product. What are examined are only the product and the way of its production (Aristotle 1993: 32). Tekhnê belongs to Poetic sciences since for ancient Greeks tekhnê is not an artistic creation, but technical skill. It has to do with certain dexterities which bear scientific validity and are based on knowledge. Aristotle believed that if an artist wishes to create a work of art, he should collect all available material on the subject and present them in a specific form. Thus, he starts from his general procedure when he examines a phenomenon; he first examines the reasons that produce a result. However, Aristotle considered that it was more important to conceive a specific form than to actually create it. He was mainly concerned with the katholou (Universal) and believed that in art the Universal is the act of becoming and the productive process that transubstantiates the informal into formal. Tekhnê, as science must be understood as based solidly on reason and therefore, it is necessary to possess knowledge of the use of its materials. According to Aristotle, the artist should not act through his uncontrolled inspiration or esoteric impulse. On the contrary, he should introduce order and objective laws creating a world per se.
As the basis for every science is logic and not an emotional state the question in the contemporary approach to actor training is in what way Laban’s words could be understood since the human being is considered as a complicated entity with all his aspects (physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual)?
Call for Papers
You are welcome to send your abstract of 100 words for you oral presentation in a word doc form, including title, institutional affiliation, and email address. Please send to: kiki.selioni@cssd.ac.uk
The themes are, but not limited to:
Knowledge and intuition in the creation of the character
Logic and emotion in acting
Embodiment/kinesthetic awareness for acting training.
Artistic creation and directing
Technique and talent in acting
Method and Methodology in acting
Metaphysic and Characterization
Acting on Screen
Paper Submission Due: 30 April 2018
Acceptance Notification: 20 May 2018
Conference Dates: 16,17,18 July 2018
The Presentation of accepted papers will be held on 16th of July
Registration fees for presentations: 120 €
Attendants fees: 70 €
Student & unwaged fees: 50 €
Workshops will be held on 17th and 18th July:
Timetable:
Tuesday 17th July:
12.00-15.00 Juliet Chambers-Coe and Dr Roanna Mitchell (Laban & Chekhov)
16.00-19.00 Dr Kiki Selioni (Laban and Biophysical Acting: The British Acting School)
Wednesday 18th July:
Lars Henning (Laban and Malmgren method )
Dr Katia Savrami (Laban and Greek Theatre/Chorus).
The workshops will have limited participants, up to 20. Attendants: up to 5
Workshops fee: 200 €
Attendant fee: 70 €