CONOR AND ANNA

THE ALPHABET AND THE ALGORITM with Anna Noctuelle and Conor Aphilia (London)

// Workshop Description //
In this two day workshop, we will investigate and deconstruct the core building blocks of movement and aesthetics in Shibari [THE ALPHABET] and document our findings using the core strategies of [OPUS]. Through a combination of experimental movement, mapping and rope exercises we will disassemble and recompose the many different layers that together form the complex tapestry of Shibari [THE ALGORITHM].

"The dilemma we face is that our [Japanese] grasp is intuitive and perceptual rather than rational and logical [The West]" Itoh Teiji, Aesthetician

Shibari is at the intersection of the cerebral and the somatic. Sorrow, beauty and the full spectrum of other emotions emerge as a result of this convergence. Technique is at the heart of Shibari, but without movement as its vessel none of this can be explored. New ideas and concepts will be generated as pairs, but also as a collective. Expect an engaging exploration in and outside of the ropes that will be rewarded with insights and understandings you will be able to apply throughout your rope journey. This workshop is suitable for beginners as well as experienced rope practitioners. Exercises can be scaled according to experience. Further details will be released to Ticket Holders

// OPUS //
In the 50’s and 60’s graphical notation systems became popular among avant-garde music composers. Graphic notation systems have encouraged collaboration between composers and performers. They have allowed performers to have input into the creative process, which has led to more dynamic and engaging performances. The use of graphic notation systems has also challenged traditional notions of what music is and what it can be. They believed that traditional notation systems were limiting and wanted greater freedom and creativity. Composers wanted to create new sounds and textures, and traditional notation systems couldn't capture these sounds and textures.

It is these attempts of daring adventure to capture the ephemeral which we are most interest to us.

After a year of intense private teaching, experimental group workshops and a constant investigation into the nature of Shibari we are delighted to present, for the first time, [OPUS] - a graphical notation system for Shibari. OPUS was developed to serve the exploration, documentation and speculation of the technical, compositional and emotional aspects of Shibari, by attempting to understand it’s non-linguistic and imperceivable qualities and plotting them in relation to the measurable and tangible dimensions of rope, 3 dimensional space and the body.

The system provides beginner and intermediate Shibari students with a simple graphical notation system to document and remember harness patterns, compositions and sequence progressions. The notation can be used in a quick and sketchy way to work out ideas or can be detailed and used to create a library of your learning progression. For the more advanced student, new ideas can be drafted and understood well before you reach the tatami. By having a common language to understand Shibari new types of thought can be communicated and shared in a way that is pedagogically distinct from the receding Deshi, Ryu, or Peer based systems of knowledge sharing.

// PROGRAM //
The Alphabet and the Algorithm will present the core notational and co-ordinate strategies of [OPUS], describe how they are used and what value they have for your Shibari practice. The exercises used during the workshop will provide new tools for exploring and creating rope scenes and will encourage participants to push the boundaries of their Shibari practice. This workshop will be a healthy mixture of rope techniques, creative endeavours and experimental drawing. Created to empower participants to explore their creativity and experiment with new ways of representing movement, patterns and composition.

Through a series of improvisational exercises and movement, participants will use [INTUITION] to deconstruct aesthetic motifs found in Literature, Music and Physical theatre which speak to us as individuals. Markings, stamps and paint will be used to describe the non-linguistic and ethereal qualities of these motifs. The initial markings will be refined and collated using [DISTILLATION] to create individual graphic notations, distinct, and abstracted from their original source. Each day participants will work together, or in pairs to devise [SPECULATION] a new Shibari sequence using the graphical systems created during the day. Experimentation is mandatory and you will be encouraged to explore the boundaries of Shibari through different interpretations of the notation. We will conclude with a group discussion [REFLECTION] on the day’s findings, the process and challenges while using OPUS and it’s future applications.

Over the two days we will create a large scale map comprised of participants drawings to visualise and contextualise the collective knowledge and findings created over the weekend. No previous drawing experience required. Ticket Holders will be contacted prior to the workshop for a short conversation to discuss their rope journey and artistic interests.

// BIO //
Anna and Conor are collaborators and professional wonderers who share a passion for understanding and investigating the practice of Shibari, its cultural context and what directions it will take in the future. Their work is a unique synthesis of past experiences in academia, dance, and architecture. Combined with their extensive rope journeys, it has allowed them to explore Shibari as a field of discourse as well as a space for novel emotional exchange.

Their shared journey began when Felix Ruckert paired them to teach at Eurix XX. To this day it is unsure if the pairing was an intentional gesture informed by wisdom and curiosity, or another of Felix’s impulses. Regardless, the couple met as peers and educators rather than model and rigger. This departure from traditional or stereotypical dynamics has allowed them to understand and investigate rope from a unique perspective.

As full time rope practitioners and educators, their teaching style is characterised by an exploratory yet sincere questioning of traditional Shibari techniques, which they deconstruct, investigate and reassemble to form a contemporary discourse in Shibari. With a combined 25 years experience in kink and rope, they understand what it means to create safe and inclusive learning environments which reward inquiry, curiosity, courage, experimentation and playfulness.

Instagram Cnr.Aphilia / anna.noctuelle
Email cnrshibari@proton.me / mail@anna-noctuelle.com
Web www.londonshibari.com / www.anna-noctuelle.com