Writing as Gesture

Academic writing often privileges reason and clarity, while devaluing the body as a site of knowledge. The French feminist dancer and philosopher Marie Bardet and Argentine writer, teacher, and queer activist Val Flores both challenge this norm. Bardet uses gestures to resist dualistic thought, integrating feminist theory, cultural critique, and ecological perspectives into somatic practices. Flores employs trauma-informed practices that posit movement as a way of knowing.

The body as a site of knowledge releases thought while moving in this world. This 90-minute workshop will draw on these theoretical orientations to lead participants through guided movement exercises and shared reflections.

No movement experience is needed, and exercises will be adapted for all abilities. Participants will be invited to share their experiences with the movement exercises and are asked to bring an open mind and cultural humility to the space.

Arno works at the threshold of humanities, arts and culture. At the center of Arno's interests is how movement and cultural signification connect and, consequentially, how transformation happens. Working mostly with queer tango dancing, another specific interest is the connection between the single person (!) and the world understood as a collective construct. Arno's working approach is joyous, yet serious, as being a body is a joyous and serious condition of life.