BDSM and Performance Workshop

The next workshop will be held on 2. – 3. 11. 2024.

The workshop presents BDSM techniques to practitioners of performing arts and techniques of performing arts to BDSM practitioners. BDSM is a term combining bondage and sadomasochism.

For BDSM practitioners the workshop gives tools of contemporary dance, contemporary theatre and live art in order to deepen the sessions and for those interested some tools on how to transform private sessions into public performances. In the work the tools from contemporary dance are used to deepen touch and embodiment. The tools of contemporary theatre are used to deepen the understanding of roles and the performative nature always incorporated in those. The tools of live art are used to dive deeper into multisensoriality and multiplicity in audience relationships.

For practitioners of performing arts the workshop introduces basic concepts and techniques of BDSM. These techniques augment the understanding of embodied techniques, make concrete the embodiment of power and hierarchy and give tools on how to dive deeper beyond normativity. One main focus is the understanding of consent and its practices in BDSM. These open possibilities on how to f.e. create participatory structures for the audience in an ethically conscious and sustainable manner.

Consent will be actively negotiated throughout the workshop. The workshop welcomes nudity and sexuality in its manifold forms, but the boundaries will always be negotiated among the participants. Every participant defines their own boundaries.

FOR WHOM: The workshop is open for everyone, but previous experience either from performing arts, BDSM or sex-positive culture is preferable. If you don’t have any of these and would still like to take part, send a short motivational message first to centerforeverything at gmail dot com.

REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT: Both happen directly in The Center for Everything webshop

PRICE: 70 €

If the price prohibits from taking part, send us a message. You can send this to the address mentioned above. You can also ask any other questions from the same address.

(If you need to cancel your registration: If you cancel the latest one month before the workshop,you will get back 50% of your payment. If you cancel later, you will lose your payment. You can also find another one to take your place, but they also need to fulfil the requirements for the participants as mentioned above.)

TIME AND PLACE: 2. – 3. 11. 2024 klo 10 – 17.00

Eskus – Performance Center, Puhdistamo (building nro 6), 2nd floor, studio 1. Official address: Kaasutehtaankatu 1/33, Helsinki.

TEACHER: Samee Haapa (they/them) is an actor FIA, dancer, live art maker, anthropologist and dj. Their first real encounter with BDSM and s##positive culture was in xPlore in Berlin in 2007. Later on, they have educated themselves in facilitating s##positive spaces f.e. at Karada House in Berlin.

They have produced, directed and performed in the field of performing arts for 20 years both in institutions and as a freelancer, both in Finland and abroad. They are currently making an artistic doctorate for Theatre Academy in the University of the Arts Helsinki with a focus on immersive and game performances. They are the artistic director of The Center for Everything.

www.centerforeverything.com

PLEASE NOTE

The workshop is committed to principles of safer space. This means respect for all genders, sexualities, backgrounds, bodies and abilities. Racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, other oppressive behaviour or harassment is not allowed.

The workshop language will be either Finnish or English – or a mix of these – depending on the needs of the workshop participants.

Eskus is accessible with a wheelchair.

Photo from the higher level of a game performance ‘Upotapia’ by The Center for Everything. Photographer: Marko Mäkinen