Creating through Collaboration BODY, CAMERA, ACTION.
A creative workshop by professor Grzegorz Kowalski

When: September 3 – 13, 2012
Where: Centre for Contemporary Art Ujazdowski Castle, ul. Jazdów 2, 00-467 Warsaw, Poland
Application deadline: June 22, 2012
Results of the selection process: June 30, 2012
Number of participants: 12

* For application process and requirements, practical details: see below

About prof. Grzegorz Kowalski:
A multifaceted Polish artist: sculptor, performer, creator of installations, renowned educator, essayist and art critic. Lives and works in Warsaw, Poland. His artistic stance was shaped under the influence of Oskar Hansen's Open Form theory. Kowalski reapplied this method of artistic endeavour to his educational activities. Since 1991 Kowalski has been teaching a diploma class at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw. In the 1990s, drawing on the experiences with his students educated in the spirit of "education in partnership", Kowalski created an informal artistic group known as Pracownia Kowalskiego/Kowalski's Workshop (or Kowalnia/The Smithy), which included some of the most important artists of the generation such as Pawel Althamer, Katarzyna Kozyra, Artur Żmijewski.
Since 2004 Kowalski collaborates with artist and filmmaker Łukasz Kosela and recently with his former student, filmmaker and choreographer Julia Bui-Ngoc .

Prof. Kowalski about the Creating through Collaboration workshop:
Our workshop is aimed at those who draw joy and inspiration from working with others. It is not our purpose to create a work, but to actively participate in a process of communication through visual forms. Our media include abstract forms, colour, light, movement, sound, gesture and body movement.

We work in real time and real space. The film camera is an instrument of recording real events.

We suggest the following subjects, each for a different session: The spatiotemporal sequence, the language of abstract forms, their relationships and meaning building. The expression of the body. The body as a means of expression.

The film camera is an instrument for observing and recording reality. The editing process is an instrument of creation and synthesis. We will work together or in small groups. The participants and the organisers will be in a similar situation: experimenting and asking open questions that we will then be trying to find answers for.

We believe that the richness of the visual forms that arise in our imagination makes it possible to overcome the shortcomings of verbal communication. We shall apply a new hierarchy of linguistic usefulness in our workshop:

In the first place will be visual forms created for a specific purpose: in order to express oneself as well as to reply, to understand the other.

In the second place will be the utilitarian language of pictograms and everyday communication gestures.

In the third position will be the verbal language, basic English, as the most popular form of communication.

Skills that can prove useful during the workshop include working with the film and photo camera, familiarity with any film editing software, sense of rhythm, an ability to play a simple instrument, knowledge of dance, yoga or other body awareness-raising forms of activity. Need to be in touch with others, to make contact and be together.

Co-participating will be the instructors: Grzegorz Kowalski (an old professor), Julia Bui-Ngoc (dancer and choreographer), Mai Bui-Ngoc (camerawoman), Tomas Rafa (Cameramen, editor)
Coordination: Małgorzata Garapich

* Structure of the workshop:
The workshop will consist of ten eight hours-long daily meetings (from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. / 2.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m.) taking place over a period of ten consecutive days (from September 3 to September 13, 2012). Workshops will be held at the Laboratory building of the CCA Ujazdowski Castle, Warsaw.

* PRACTICAL INFORMATION:
- No application fee
- No fee for participation in the workshop
- Travel, food, and personal expenses will not be reimbursed
- Centre for Contemporary Art Ujazdowski Castle will provide accommodation in shared rooms on the CCA's premises

* REQUIREMENTS:
We accept applications only from students and graduates of artistic schools.

1. basic knowledge of film editing software: Adobe Premiere Pro or Apple FinalCut Pro
2. previous experience with operating a photo and video camera is very welcome
3. English speaker (basic level)
4. own photo or video camera
5. own computer with film editing software is very welcome
6. submitting a filled application form along with all the required documents
by e-mail to: kowalski.workshop@gmail.com
by June 22, 2012.

Application form can be downloaded from our website: http://csw.art.pl/upload/file/1208kowalski_workshops_applicationform.pdf

* APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:
The workshop will include 16 participants selected by prof. Kowalski from candidates applying to open enrolment. Candidates will be informed about the results of the selection process via email. Results will also be available on our website www.csw.art.pl
It will be considered as valid and official communication of results to the candidates.

Please submit a filled application form along with all the required documents by e-mail to: kowalski.workshop@gmail.com
by June 22, 2012. Applications received after this date will not be accepted.

Please submit the following documents with your application:

1. Artistic statement – please describe your most recent areas of interest (max 200 words)

2. Curriculum Vitae – including information about education, professional training (not more than three most important certificates), publications (not more than three most important publications)

3. Portfolio in the pdf format containing documentation (photos, screenshots) of three works along with a comment describing the aims and essential elements of their concept. As well as a link to view or download relevant video works or a separate DVD sent by post.

Additional materials such as DVDs with videos can be sent to:
Kowalski's Workshop
Małgorzata Garapich
Coordinator
CCA Ujazdowski Castle
ul. Jazdów 2
00-467 Warsaw, Poland

All materials have to reach the address by June 22, 2012.
Submitted materials will not be returned.