Fiona James ans Jessica Wiesner, YOU ARE THAT TECHNICALITY, 2018
Flat Time House
3 March 2018
As artists and researchers coming from a sculptural background, Fiona James and Jessica Wiesner consider neurological plasticity to be a sculpt-able surface. Building on their previous collaborative practice, this daylong workshop investigates trauma and involuntary gesture as manifestations of the assertion that ‘the body critiques its environment’ (James/Wiesner).
Following an introduction to Polyvagal theory, participants are invited to take part in embodied exercises and group discussion to consider the body as a site of continual adaption, addressing how control, security, neglect and transience work for, and against, typical notions of subjectivity. This will be followed by an experience of Tension and Trauma Release Exercises (TRE), a series of simple exercises activating natural reflex mechanisms to assist the body in releasing deep muscular patterns of stress, tension and trauma.
PS/Y’s Hysteria is a combined arts programme that explores health and illness in contemporary society, focusing on issues of gender, race and cultural identity. Hysteria is curated by Mette Kjærgaard Præst and takes place in partnership with organisations and institutions across London from August 2017 – April 2018.