Today we really met everyone. In costume. And interestingly enough, the ones we really saw and could connect with, were the ones who didn't hide (behind hats/silly glasses/confusing outfits). Their costumes let us see them. Simple and elegant. Pallapupas, the Hospital Clowns based here in Barcelona, have an especially beautiful aesthetic.
An improv exercise that involved singing a song with a partner on stage. We had to follow very strict rules - starting from a certain position, turning in a certain direction, pausing at a certain time, and all in time with our partner. No mistakes. It was such a joy to play within the restrictions of these rules, to feel such pleasure at getting it right and doing it well.
We are surrounded by rules in hospital or on the floor everyday, and these rules are critical. There is a temptation in clown for anarchy - to break the rules or misunderstand them. In Hospital, there are so many that I think we often take them from granted, or our 'non-clown' brain deals with them. But now I am thinking that we can find real joy in these rules. Wow. We did an excellent job of washing our hands! Wow. You put that protective apron on brilliantly! All those small things we do dozens of times a day without thinking. They can help us connect to our clown and to our partner, and they are just the starting point. Boundaries give us the freedom to play, after all.
When you know where you are, you have somewhere to go.
Oh! and exciting news! Hearts & Minds has been officially cited as inspiration and creators of the 'Wolf/Chicken' variation of Hug Tag. MC has taken it with him to every Hospital Clown workshop he has done since. Something, I am sure you will agree, we can all feel a considerable amount of pride about.
For the next 3 days with Jean Claude Cotillard, we will be working in complete silence.
Sshhhhhhh!
Hasta Prontito, amorcitos
An improv exercise that involved singing a song with a partner on stage. We had to follow very strict rules - starting from a certain position, turning in a certain direction, pausing at a certain time, and all in time with our partner. No mistakes. It was such a joy to play within the restrictions of these rules, to feel such pleasure at getting it right and doing it well.
We are surrounded by rules in hospital or on the floor everyday, and these rules are critical. There is a temptation in clown for anarchy - to break the rules or misunderstand them. In Hospital, there are so many that I think we often take them from granted, or our 'non-clown' brain deals with them. But now I am thinking that we can find real joy in these rules. Wow. We did an excellent job of washing our hands! Wow. You put that protective apron on brilliantly! All those small things we do dozens of times a day without thinking. They can help us connect to our clown and to our partner, and they are just the starting point. Boundaries give us the freedom to play, after all.
When you know where you are, you have somewhere to go.
Oh! and exciting news! Hearts & Minds has been officially cited as inspiration and creators of the 'Wolf/Chicken' variation of Hug Tag. MC has taken it with him to every Hospital Clown workshop he has done since. Something, I am sure you will agree, we can all feel a considerable amount of pride about.
For the next 3 days with Jean Claude Cotillard, we will be working in complete silence.
Sshhhhhhh!
Hasta Prontito, amorcitos