Pilot Activity Re: The “Artist Within” 3rd Training “YOUR INNER CLOWN, HUMOUR STRATEGIES AND OTHER COMPETENCES” Leipzig, Germany
Reflection on the pilot workshop „THE ART OF HUMOR" (Bernadette, Kamila, Rita and Anne) Target group: trainers, coaches, therapists, social workers who are working with migrants Date: 13th November 2015 (Friday) Location: Hotel Armony (Mariannenplatz 26, 10997 Berlin) Throughout 4 working hours we are leading verbal and non-verbal exercises in the theme of humor, sharing skills that can help the target group overcoming difficult situations in the helping profession and in everyday life.
1.: Introduction - The participants can choose an object from the table and link his/her introduction with the object. (Who are you? Why are you here? What made you choose that object?) This has been very good to know each other. Meanwhile the participants wanted to learn more about the Erasmus + project.
2.: Rita's block - whiskey mixer Everybody loved this exercise, because we laughed a lot, which has been a good „opener“ especially for the subject and generally for anyone`s physical and mental condition. - history of humor ppt.
Not only I have been enjoying the contrast between bodywork and theory. To put „history of humor „ after „whiskey mixer“ has been very intelligent. The participants had the opportunity to go deeper in the subject.
3.: Betti's block - alienation Again something funny, but very creative and energizing for the brain to leave the normal roots and discovering what kind of possibilities could be hidden in objects we are using in our everyday life. - massage in pairs One word: great! - walking in pairs (with change) Observing each other has been an effective exercise to get a better feeling for the sense of self. - mirroring and exaggerating the other's standing, mimics As „walking in pairs“ this exercise got the people more in an extravert level and pave them the possibility to learn more about themselves in a very uncomplicated way. - breathing (in, out, holding back) while walking How surprising this has been! After so much „loud“ acting-exercises this „quiet“ practice has an impressive outcome for most of the participants! 4.: Anne's block - shower not everyone's cup of tea, but the impact on those, wo adored this exercise was enormous. We found out, that it is not possible to do this with everybody because of cultural difficulties. But the experience was unforgetable, I guess. Because it was for me so I have been chosen it for my block. - exaggerating feelings with mimics and sound Fun and selfdiscovering. Easy and great to get into more acting and preparation for the clown. - how to turn into a clown
Theory; talking about clowns and different possibilities. - walk like an angry clown, a sad clown, a stupid clown, a know-it-all clown, scared clown, bored clown, absent-minded clown etc. Discover your inner clowns. What kind of clown should the person be wo is trying out the red nose and some of the accessories from the table. 5.: Kamila's block - intercultural aspects of humor, sensitive topics This layer of our subject opens the wide field of differences between us and our neighbours in the EU and worldwide. Good to have the theory again in our program! - stereotypes, mocking videos (object - stereotypes: eg. vodka – Poland, paprika – Hungary, bier – Germany, dracula teeth - Romania) - role play → movie scene Everybody was playing a stereotype, which made some strange feelings. I felt touched by the stereotypes and its cliches… - feedback circle Evereybody was very happy and thankful to take part in our workshop. For us ist was inspiring as well because we learned a lot from the participants who has been open, kind, concentrated, sensitive and very creative. And: I have forgot to mention, very humorous!
Anne Dettmer, 18.11.2015
Copyright Recipients are free to use all or parts of this document for personal use however are requested to inform the author. Recipients are requested to acknowledge The artist within – Applied eMOTION consortium and the author in any reference to the content of this document. In the event of any further queries please consult the author. Acknowledgements This project was possible with the financial support from the Erasmus+ program. The methodological resources and inspiration came from the The artist within – Applied eMOTION long-term adult education project (www.theartistwithin.eu). The generosity from the fund and these organisations is much appreciated.