Body/Landscape

2025 Season: Jan 31 - Feb 2
(Arriving Jan 30, Leaving Feb 3)

A 3-day immersive investigation of BODY and LANDSCAPE in Venus Bay/Point Smythe Coastal Reserve, located on the Southeast coast of Gippsland, 2 hours from Melbourne.

Our point of departure is Body Weather, a comprehensive training and performance practice that investigates the intersections of bodies and their environments.

Body Weather conceives the body as something that, like the weather, is constantly changing through an infinite and complex system of processes. At the same time, the body is an ever-evolving landscape in continuous exchange with its environment.

Body Weather was introduced to Australia by Tess de Quincey in 1989, see http://www.bodyweather.net

By Application

CLICK TO APPLY VIA EMAIL

APPLY NOW - LIMITED GROUP SIZE

Due to the nature of the event, registration is via application directly with Frank.

WORKSHOP FEE

Early Bird - $680 Full/ $640 Concession
(Must be fully paid by 1st December 2024)

Standard - $740 Full / $700 Concession
(All meals are included, vegetarian)

APPLICATIONS

Send your name, address, age, short personal history, and a brief statement of your motivation along with any questions to Frank at:

frank.bwa@xs4all.nl

On acceptance Frank will ask for a non-refundable enrolment deposit of $150. To be sure of a place book early, last year went to a wait list!

Frank van de Ven

BODY/LANDSCAPE

Venus Bay/Point Smyte Coastal Reserve
South Gippsland Victoria

We are lodged at Raven’s Nest - 14 Acres of Water Front, Forested Sanctuary right next to Point Smythe Coastal Reserve.
We acknowledge the Gunai / Bunurong people as the Traditional Custodians of this unceded land and pay respect to their Elders past & present.

This Body/Landscape workshop takes an embodied approach to place.

The workshop includes:

physical/dance training,
mental training and reflection
walking and silent wandering
multiple modes of experiencing body, movement and landscape
developing diverse senses of space and time

This workshop will appeal to artists and students working in performance, dance, art, sculpture, photography, theatre and visual arts and people interested in the environment, ecology, eco-somatics and natural history. No previous (dance) training is necessary but the workshop is physical and requires a reasonable level of fitness.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Dates: 2025 Season: Jan 31 - Feb 2

Arrival: Thursday 30th Jan, late afternoon to set up tents.
Departure: Sunday 2nd February after dinner or Monday 3rd February in the morning.

Address: 816 Lees Rd, Venus Bay VIC 3956, Australië

Transport: 2 hours South East of Melbourne. We will exchange addresses to facilitate car-pooling or take public transport to Venus bay from where we can pick you up.

ACCOMMODATION

Participants will be camping (BYO Tent) amongst the beauty of the bush on this land.
There are also rooms available in the house, for those wishing more comfort
A bed for 4 Nights is an extra $120 (or $150 with sheets)
Beds are limited so book your spot now!

Bring: a tent, all bedding or swag, hiking boots/shoes, light sandals, notebook, hat, backpack, raincoat, insect repellent, lightweight warm clothes, head net or scarf, torchlight, water bottle/containers, sun-protection, moisturiser, chair and/or mat, toiletries.

Frank van de Ven, dancer and choreographer, spent his formative years in Japan working with Min Tanaka and the Maijuku Performance Company. Since 1993 he has led Body Weather and Body/Landscape projects worldwide - through Body Weather Amsterdam, founded with Katerina Bakatsaki. With Milos Sejn (Academy of Art & Design, Prague) he set up the interdisciplinary Bohemiae Rosa Project in 1995, connecting body and landscape with art, geology and architecture. For more info on Body Weather in Europe see bodyweatheramsterdam.nl