In TIE MASSAGE, Luke George and Daniel Kok extract ideas and practices they have developed over the process of creating BUNNY, their performance work and collaboration from 2016 which has since been performed across in 12 cities internationally, including the 2019 Venice Biennale. Luke and Daniel studied knot tying techniques from Rope Bondage, climbing and sailing, as well as Macramé. They also undertook Thai Massage training in Chiang Mai (Thailand), which they then incorporated with their rope practice.
By combining bondage with massage, the full range of pressure and release or confidence and surrender, come into play. The premise is that bondage is a dynamic relational practice that involves a heightened sense of touch and sensitive mutual listening between the giver and the receiver, as they communicate their consent, trust, empathy and pleasure to each other. Rope is sensitive and dynamic. It can act like a conductor of energy and information between bodies. In TIE MASSAGE, we will build our sense of connection, trust, confidence and surrender. We will explore how we touch with our hands, our bodies and through our rope. We will explore how the rope can be an extension of our own bodies through connecting physical touch and binding with rope.
This workshop is suitable for anyone with a curiosity in interacting with others. We invite people of different ages (18+), races, genders, sexualities, backgrounds and interests to participate. Emphasising the duty of care in this workshop, we aim to cater to different desires and interests, and explore the politics of intimacy that are revealed by the differences between doing and observing, seeing and being seen, leading and being led. Throughout the workshop, participants will have the opportunity to work solo, partners and groups. We invite and encourage you to engage in multiple interactions and roles, going on a collective creative journey over the 2-day workshop.
2-DAY WORKSHOP
16 - 17 November 2019
10:30am-6:30pm each day
Temperance Hall
199 Napier Street, South Melbourne Victoria 3205
Tickets: https://www.trybooking.com/BFYRR
$150 full / $100 concession
Programme
Day 1
Part 1
~Introductions
~Basic knots/ties
~Tie yourself
~Tie an object
Part 2
Pair Work:
~Consent, communication, confidence and trust
~Touch exercises: how to touch – intention, qualities, feedback
~Listening exercises: observing and reading the body: self, partner, relationship
~Tying your partner
~Reflection and discussion
Day 2
Part 3
~Pair work: Thai Massage (basic principals for massage techniques and positions)
~Learning some further knots/ties
~Pair Work:
TIE Massage sequence of touches and ties
TIE Massage free improv
Part 4
~Mapping exercise: collectively designing a ‘Jam’ based on individual desires/scenarios
~Group Jam
~Reflection and discussion
This workshop open to participants who are:
18 years and above
We invite people of different ages, races, genders, sexualities, backgrounds and interests to participate
No other prerequisites
Participants Group Size: 15 - 25 people
Other Notes to Participants:
Wear comfortable clothing
Ropes are provided by the artists (but if you have ropes you’d like to bring, please do)
In conjunction with the course content, this workshop focuses on physical touch with others (under the motivation of respecting non-harassment)
You will have the opportunity to state what interests you or not. You do not have to do anything you are not comfortable with.
Sexual Contact is not expected (especially when unsolicited by others)
During the course, the organiser will be taking photography and video (for archival purposes and for publicity of future similar events); if you have any special considerations or concerns, please contact the organiser in advance.
If you have any questions about the workshop, please don’t hesitate to get in touch: luke@lukegeorge.net
The artists and Temperance Hall respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the on which we gather, the Boon Wurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation and pays respect to their Elders, past and present. Sovereignty was never ceded.
LUKE GEORGE (Workshop leader, Melbourne)
www.lukegeorge.net/
DANIEL KOK
www.diskodanny.com/
dancenucleus.com/