1st Intensive: 1 – 7 December 2023
Welcome and Introduction
Instructors: Patricia Apergi, Angeliki Labiri
Date: 1 December 2023
Hours: 16:30 – 22:30
Venue: X-Bowling Art Center
Τhe first meeting of the second cycle of the Academy was an introduction to the programme and objectives of the U(R)TOPIAS Academy of Choreography as well as to the legacy and projects of 2023 Eleusis – European Capital of Culture. The meeting started with the welcome of the participating artists by the artistic director of the Academy Patricia Apergi. The baton was passed to Angeliki Lambiri, who after giving a brief introduction to the history of Elefsina, spoke to the artists about the institution of the Capital of Culture as well as about the projects, the goals, the footprint and the legacy of the Cultural Capital in Elefsina.
Topic: Body and movement research
Instructor: Patricia Apergi (choreographer).
Date: 2 & 7 December 2023.
Time: 11.00 – 17.00
Venue: X-Bowling Art Center
The Academy’s first creative workshop explores the body as a methodological tool for the production of knowledge and creation. The participants are invited to make a “kinetic alphabet”, investigating the kinetic rendering of words and concepts and consequently the different energies and qualities of each concept. In this way they define their personal and unique kinetic vocabulary, discovering kinetic codes and basic tools of the art of choreography.
Topic: Getting to know Elefsina
Date: 3 December 2023
Time: 11.00 – 17.00
Venue: Museum of Asia Minor
Instructors: Georgia Yatzoglou (Association of Asia Minor of Elefsina)
The first acquaintance of the participants with the city took place at the Museum of Asia Minor, where we were welcomed by the President of the Asia Minor Association, Mrs. Georgia Yagtzoglou, who spoke about the history of refugees from the different regions of Asia Minor, their arrival in Elefsina, their integration in the city of Elefsina and the actions of the association today. Afterwards, the artists had the opportunity to tour the Museum and admire its folklore relics, symbols of collective memory.Location: Archaeological Site of Elefsina
Location: Archaeological Site of Elefsina Instructor: Michail Marmarinos
Right after that, we proceeded to the archaeological site, where we were greeted by Michail Marmarinos, the director and artistic director of the 2023 Eleusis. Through a guided tour-ceremony, he “initiated” us in the history of the Eleusinian Mysteries, the architecture of the area, and explored the concepts of active observation and listening. The tour concluded with a ceremonial sharing of traditional trick food , providing a uniquely enriching sensory encounter.
Location: Public Space
Instructor: Stalker Team
The first day of getting to know the city concluded with the Stalker team and an alternative exploration of the city’s archaeology titled “Street Archaeology.” The artists had the opportunity to delve into the lesser-known parts of the city, discovering the scattered archaeological and historical monuments hidden among the streets and squares of Eleusis. These included the Statue of the Worker, the Town Hall, the Statue of Aeschylus, the Ancient Well, the Submerged Bathing Areas, Saint Zacharias, Saint George, and the Ancient Harbor Breakwater.
Topic: Getting to know Elefsina
Date: 4 December 2023
Time: 11.00 – 17.00
Location: Public Space Instructor: Stalker Team
The second day of acquainting ourselves with the city commenced once again with the Stalker team and an industrial tour titled “Industrial Memories – Let’s Be Their Voice.” Through a rich narrative stroll through Eleusis’ industrial landmarks, participants connected with the city’s history, reading testimonials of workers at each site, thus literally giving voice to the personal and collective experiences of its people. Centered around the stories of the workers, we encountered the industrial landmarks of the city, such as the Art Canteen Hub, Kronos, Iris, the Old Olive Oil Factory, the former American base, the TITAN factory, and the Old Oil Mill.
Location: Public Space Instructor: CultterraTeam
Our meeting with the Cultterra youth team took place at the impressive Arkopolis. The team’s members shared with us their vision for the city, their challenges, the history of their group formation, as well as their actions and plans for the future. Our encounter with the Cultterra team is extremely significant as it starts up a new channel of communication between the youth of Eleusis and the artists of the Academy, allowing for a fresh cultural mapping of the city.
Location: West Attica Labour Union Building (EKEDA) Instructor: Evangelos Lingos (President of West Attica Labour Union Building)
In this meeting, we had the opportunity to meet Mr. Evangelos Lingos, who spoke to us about the history of the labor movement and the current situation prevailing in Eleusis. Our meeting with Mr. Lingos is always extremely useful, as the labor movement and its history are among the key topics of Eleusis’ history.
Topic : Body and Movement Research Instructor: Claudia Bosse (choreographer) Date: 5 & 6 December 2023
Hours: 14.00 – 19.00 Location: Public Space & X-Bowling Art Center
The second creative workshop on body and movement research was conducted by choreographer Claudia Bosse in the public space of Vlycha. Focusing on the artistic creation in public spaces and through specific stages and practices, the choreographer introduced the artists to the choreographic process for creating a site-specific work. How do I actively consider the landscape? How do I want to engage with it? What are the auditory and visual parameters that define it? How do I relate to all these dynamics in order to generate my movement material?
