Radical Empathy Lab Goes Outdoor in Treptow with Berit Fischer
The Radical Empathy Lab (REL) was founded by Berit Fischer in 2016 as a nomadic experimental platform that runs between the somatic experientable, action and critical reflection. An ongoing experimental format of encounter for an alternative and holistic production of knowledge, which – embraces what Brazilian theorist Suely Rolnik calls the “knowing body”.
In particular during the current pandemic of Covid-19, established concepts of co-existence, inter-relationality, response-ability and care are put to test. Questions of how we want to live and work together – as humans and within our natural habitat– are of urgency more than ever.
The Lab experiments with transdisciplinary and holistic advances for creating critical consciousness in which the cognitive intertwines with the non-semiotic, the sensual and experiential. It strives to activate connectivity to our sensing and knowing body to promote critical consciousness and relationality between the participants and their environment. We will experiment with holistic and collective practices, that will range from feminist and radical pedagogies, to Deep Listening exercises by experimental composer Pauline Oliveros, and meditative elements. The Radical Empathy Lab opens up a space of possibility for encounter that enables and promotes connectivity and trust in ourselves, and the “Other”.
The Radical Empathy Lab experiments with new forms of being together, that momentarily allow to reflect, to re-feel and undo a reactionary an-aesthesia (Greek: an-aesthēsis: without sensation), that is often nurtured by neoliberal capitalism and by dominant, separationist and systemic structures. REL moves between singularity and collective activity. It examines the relation between micro- and macro-dimensions of agency, as possible practices and spaces for “self-empowerment” and as an attempt to decolonise and de-subjectivate the (social) body and its relationality to the “Other”.
The Lab will take place outdoors. In case of rain a spacious alternative will be given. In accordance with current contact regulations, a minimum distance of 1.5 m to each other will always be maintained and direct physical contact is avoided.
No previous knowledge necessary. In English/German.
registration:
Limited number of participants of 7. Please RSVP by 22 June and please send us one sentence on what the other participants should know about you. Plus one sentence on why you would like to participate to unserkopfistrund@gmail.com.
Berit Fischer is a curator, spatial practitioner, scholar and writer who has worked internationally since 1999. She holds a Ph.D. from the Winchester School of Art/Southampton University, UK. Her curatorial research interests include critical spatial practices, socially produced spaces, and holistic and experiential knowledge production as a way to penetrate the status quo. In her often transdisciplinary work, she strives to activate fields of action and spaces for critical debate and critical awareness raising, practices of listening, affective encounter and relational learning.
www.beritfischer.org
