NO-HOW: A critical series of embodied studies or, in other words– putting ourselves on the line.
Reading Group 2015 | Wednesdays Nov 11, 25 & Dec 2, 9, 16 2015 From 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.
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
Please RSVP for each session to info@nkprojekt.de. We will then provide the reading materials. There is no cost to attend and is 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.