Eligibility

The Initiation workshop focuses on the trinity body – ritual – narrative and on the contrast between today’s logical world and and the ancient mythology. It addresses international artists with a strong interest in a contemporary interpretation of ancient performance, theater, narrative, ceremony and ritual. The Athens workshop offers professional artists a distinct opportunity to broaden their practice and knowledge and discover the symbols and physical expression of Greece’s ancient rituals. The 7-day workshop includes accommodation, performance workshop, guided visits to UNESCO sites and the experience of participating in a unique ancient community ritual. Artists working with performance, visual and interdisciplinary art, multimedia art or design (jewellery, fashion) are encouraged to apply. We accept applications from artists working on a professional level. Please apply only if you are 30+ years old.

Number of Participants

Maximum number of participants: 8 The Initiation workshop alludes to the dances and rituals performed to honor Demeter, the ancient Greek goddess of the plants and agriculture, and her daughter Persephone, queen of Hades (Underworld), during the ancient initiation rites in Eleusina which are known as the Eleusinian Mysteries.   The mysteries introduced the initiates into a blissful life and liberated them from the fear of death through the celebration of the cycle of nature and life, the sharing of food and knowledge inside the community, and the abolishment of social hierarchy. Dance, performances, costumes, jewellery, tales, healing and social bonding were not separate instances and actions at the very beginning of art. The Initiation workshop’s holistic approach to performance, dance and ritual aims at reuniting contemporary fragmented reality of contemporary art by linking physical expression to a strong narrative, to symbols and allegories.

Deadline

September 01, 2019 09:00 UTC

Selection Results (Announcement Dates)

September 05, 2019 13:00 UTC

Duration

November 18, 2019 - November 24, 2019

Costs

• €760.00 program fee (one-time)

Facilities

Co-Working, Library, Shared Studio

Housing

Apartment, Kitchen, Live/Work, Private Room, Shared Bathroom

Public Programs

Exhibition, Online Exhibition, Performances, Professional Development, Workshops

Disciplines

Acting, Conceptual Art, Dance, Design, Interdiscplinary Arts, Intervention, Jewelry, Journalism, Makers, Multimedia, Performance Art, Public Art, Social Practice, Theatre, Visual Arts

Languages

English, German, Greek

Program Description

• 7-day (6-night) residency including shared accommodation in central Athens (2 p.p. apartment / single room for each participant) • Guided visits to the Acropolis complex and to Plato's Academy • Guided visit to the National Archaeological Museum with the focus on the concepts: democracy and spirituality / theater, community bonding and healing / mysteries, sharing and transformation • Guided visit to the archaeological site and museum of Eleusina • Introduction to the meaning of ancient community rituals. Participation in a unique contemporary ritual still performed in Greece. • A tour to Athens’ historical nucleus and visit to the „Gates to Hades“. • Performance workshop + practice (20 hours) • Story telling workshop (3 hours) • Development of the artist's concept and practice throughout the workshop • Curated public event presenting the workshop participants’ performances in a central Athens venue including PR, networking, Press and Social media promotion and documentation