NO-HOW: A critical series of embodied studies or, in other words– putting ourselves on the line.
Reading Group 2016 | Wednesdays March, April & May, 2016. 18:00-21:00
This is a weekly meeting for those interested in understanding how we are conditioned in different ways. If we consider the possibility of actual transformation, first we need to understand ourselves in relation to this world.
We will explore our own determination from different perspectives: linguistically, socially, sexually, culturally, racially, economically, historically, biologically, and more. We will also take into account Berlin and the changes that is going through.
Launched by a group of musicians and artists, this experimental series starts with a critical standpoint towards current culture and music in particular, including the avant-garde, popular and obscure: does music contain transformative qualities? Or is it just a soundtrack for our fucked up times? Are extreme actions, improvisational approaches and noise enough to dismantle our conditioned selves? Or do we need to radically reconsider the critical potential of these practices? Can we still say no to the unfairness of this world through cultural practices or do we need something else altogether?
Each week a text will be proposed which should be read before attending. The first part of the meeting will be discussion; here we will collectively draw notes and create a ‘score’ to guide us through ‘embodied exercises’ in the second part of the meeting. We wish to learn not only discursively, but through embodied practice, so we can experientially understand what experience is. By collectively using ourselves -including our bodies- as material for the exercises, we attempt to understand our conditioning through action.
PREPARATORY SESSIONS (to precede the coming ‘Perspectives’):
2. + 9. März: Some Remarks on Kant’s Theory of Experience by Wilfrid Sellars
16. März: Introduction to The Essence of Christianity from The Fiery Brook by Ludwig Feuerbach AND Christianity and Heathenism chapter from The Essence of Christianity by Ludwig Feuerbach
30. März: Chapters 1-6 in Dialectics of Labour by Chris Arthur
6. April: Chapters 2-3 in Dialectics of Labour by Chris Arthur
13. April: NO READING GROUP.
20. April: Chapters 4-5 in Dialectics of Labour by Chris Arthur
27. April: NO READING GROUP.
Third Perspective: Approaching Conditioning, Economically (following the PREPARATORY SESSIONS):
WK1: Willing Slaves of Capital (PT.I) by Frédéric Lordon
WK2: Willing Slaves of Capital (PT.I) by Frédéric Lordon
WK3: Selected Chapters from The Making of the Indebted Man by Maurizio Lazzarato
WK4: Misery and Debt by ENDNOTES
PAST PERSPECTIVES (from autumn 2015):
First Perspective: Approaching Conditioning, Linguistically. Texts by Wilfrid Sellars.
14. Okt: Meaning as Functional Classification
21. Okt: Language as Thought and as Communication
28. Okt: Behaviorism, Language and Meaning
4. Nov: Language, Rules and Behavior
11. Nov: Discussion with Ray Brassier via skype on Wilfrid Sellars
Second perspective:
Approaching Conditioning of Sexuality and Gender
25. Nov: Text by Endnotes The Logic of Gender
2. Dec: Texts by Monique Wittig
The Category of Sex
One Is Not Born a Woman
The Straight Mind
9. Dec: Texts by Shulamith Firestone
Dialectics of Sex
The Ultimate Revolution: Demands and Speculations
16. Dec: Text by Paul B. Preciado
TECHNOGENDER
Not necessary to RSVP– just come. Reading materials are available via the links above. No cost to attend; open to people of any field. Organized by Mattin, Sacha Kahir, Farahnaz Hatam, Colin Hacklander & NK. Location: NK Projekt. Start Time: 18:00. End Time: 21:00.