***No prior knowledge of Arabic or Farsi is required to take this workshop.
New Approach: This calligraphy workshop will begin with the meditative practices of Audre Lorde’s “Uses of the Erotic” & Eugene Gendlin’s “Focusing” method.
Uses of the Erotic: This method works to reframe the primary source of shame for many women: the erotic. Lorde hands you the original meaning of the erotic, that is, as a source of power, information, and courage.
“The word erotic comes from the Greek word eros, the personification of love in all its aspects — born of Chaos, and personifying creative power and harmony. When I speak of the erotic, then I speak of it as an assertion of the life-force of women; of that creative energy empowered…The erotic is not a question of what we do; it is a question of how acutely and fully we can feel in the doing. Once we know the extent to which we are capable of feeling that sense of satisfaction and completion, we can then observe which of our various life endeavors bring us closest to that fullness.
The Focusing Method: This method engages in conversation with the body, one that bares the potential to change the course of your life if done often and thoroughly. It encompasses two primary techniques: (1) contact with the felt sense(2) a shift or change of that sense when approached in the right way.
Based on research conducted at the University of Chicago, it is an alternative method of self therapy that consists of steps of self change.
“This is not the familiar “getting in touch with your feelings.” Nor is it the content free quiet of meditation. The internal equipment needed to perform the act is in every human being, but in most people it is unused. Each focusing step, when done correctly, is marked by a physical relief, a profound release of tension. Focusing guides you to the deepest level of awareness within your body. It is on this level, unfamiliar to most people, that unresolved problems actually exist, and only on this level can they change.”
Read more about the workshop:
My meditative calligraphy workshops began a few years ago in Samos, Greece, where I worked closely with refugees of all ages and nationalities in small and large sessions as a way of addressing (and beginning to heal) the trauma within in an un-intrusive and gentle manner. What distinguishes this calligraphy workshop is that it is led with a meditative & healing approach. It focuses on the artistic qualities of the practice of calligraphy over the technicalities of it, and it offers a feminine approach to a predominantly masculine medium. It is one of the most beautiful ways to introduce people to the culture and art of a region which is often quite unfairly and inaccurately represented in the media. This class, while focusing on calligraphy, will also introduce students to music, art, and literature from the region. This is an all encompassing workshop which focuses on the interior state of the participating student, while teaching a new craft, and learning more about the MENA region.
How does it work?
By learning to understand and speak the language of the hands. Calligraphy demands a very particular form of engagement. Because so much of our emotions is released through our hands, I am often very attuned to the emotions of the participant based on how they hold the reed pen and how they move it across the page. In previous workshops, I would take these observations and work closely with artists in helping them become more aware of their current mindset by simply drawing attention to their hands. In addition, I often begin each session in silence and meditation, giving each participant the time to make that necessary transition. Both I and the students I have worked with have used calligraphy to work through very difficult periods of our lives, and I believe some may find this class particularly helpful if they are passing through a challenging time.