Unmasking the Body, Sculpting the Mask: “Back to the Water”.
In Ibiza: 2025 Dates TBC
Content: For millennia, humans of all the world’s continents have crafted puppets, masks and ritual objects in order to harness deeper relationships with the landscapes which surround them. Through sculpting a material and imbuing it with a thought or intention, these shapes can become spells and prayers, offered back to the land which first birthed them.
For millennia, humans of all the world’s continents have crafted puppets, masks and ritual objects in order to harness deeper relationships with the landscapes which surround them. Through sculpting a material and imbuing it with a thought or intention, these shapes can become spells and prayers, offered back to the land which first birthed them.
During this five-day intensive, Gemma’s morning explorations in the elemental body, within the raw, rugged terrain of Ibiza, will cultivate an embodied field of creativity which will be developed further in the afternoons with artist, puppet-maker and storyteller Joanna Hruby. Through their ongoing exploration of the Ibizan landscapes, participants will learn how to give physical form to a puppet-mask being, using cardboard sculpture and papier-mâché, via crafting and adorning. Following this process, we will find a lost language that enables us to rebuild bridges of connection with the earth upon which we stand. Our embodied creations will lead us back to the vital, primal essence of an island whose territory has been dulled for too long by the influences of mass tourism and globalisation.
For five days we will encounter Ibiza through somatic process, movement, storytelling, crafting and sculpting, giving form to a wild, ancient, pine-scented force that is greater than ourselves.
Facilitator Biographies:
Joanna Hruby is an artist, puppeteer, performer and storyteller originating from the South West England. On settling on Ibiza eight years ago she formed “Theatre of Ancients” whose highly-visual and ritualistic puppet and mask performances bring to life the history, myths, folklore and traditional culture of Ibiza. All of the facets of Joanna’s work strive to create a dialogue and communion with the wild, ancient landscapes of Ibiza which have been silenced by mass tourism and globalisation. https://www.theatreoftheancients.com
Gemma Mallol half from Ibiza is currently an embodied dance and movement researcher (Master’s at Plymouth University), a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, Senior Yoga and Mindfulness Teacher Trainer (23 years teaching) and works with somatic movement, nature and creativity in the resolution of trauma. She is currently researching where Butoh Dance, Somatics and Buddhist meditative movement forms such as walking meet.
https://instagram.com/ancestral_body
Further Logistics and Organisational Details:
Accommodation: These are non-residential intensives. We have a list of suitable places we can recommend in the area and it is up to you to arrange your own accommodation. We are recommending simple places on the west coast of Ibiza that charge on average 60 Euros per night per person to keep costs as low as possible. Obviously if you want to book something more expensive that is up to you.
Food: We recommend that participants have a light breakfast before morning practice. The options for lunch are to bring a packed lunch or to have a Spanish menu of the day in town, we have some local recommendations. We will be providing an optional light dinner after the afternoon session at the Vessel Studio which costs 15 Euros per person / per dinner. You need to book in advance.
Cost: Non- Residential 375 / 475 Euros (3 low income spots available, please apply)
Locations: Morning elemental movement work will take place outdoors (site specific) and the afternoon puppet making sessions will take place at a local artist’s studio.
Schedule: TBC
Daily Outdoor Elemental Movement from 10.00 – 1pm. Daily Afternoon Puppet Making from 4.30- 7.30pm
Bookings & Info: Please email Gemma on stillflowing@hotmail.co.uk or Whats App 00 44 7745300237
We warmly welcome all bodies, brain types, ages, ethnicities and genders
Places are limited to 10 and accommodation books up in Ibiza so please book well in advance