Textured dialogues – March 2023 and june 2024

For several years now, artist Sonja Jokiniemi has been looking at language, non-verbal storytelling strategies, neurodiversity, the relationship between objects and humans, and the manufacture of textiles in her performance practice and in community projects. As part of far°’s PERMA-CULTURE approach, the artist has proposed the Textured dialogues workshop to the team in March 2023. She will be leading a second session of workshops, open to the public, on 22 and 23 June 2024 at far° (more information coming soon).

The Textured Dialogues workshop can take several forms (duration, context, etc.) and can be adapted to suit the participants. In particular, it invites people with methods of expression other than spoken language to take part. The central idea of this workshop is to build a visual and haptic landscape (linked to touch) that proposes activation, movement and dialogue with the participants. It is punctuated by guided proposals and improvisations for dialogue.

Through this workshop, the group is invited to delve into the relationships forged between each other. This narrative between each individual and the group becomes the basic material for asking questions such as: How do I relate to the world ? How do I respond to external stimuli ? In what ways do I build imaginary worlds with my hands ? How is my environment affected by my actions ?

The dialogue then develops using different materials and media such as drawing, dance and textiles. At the same time, the participants create an installation in the room that can then be seen and activated by the rest of the group.

Sonja Jokiniemi is originally from Finland and lives in Lausanne. She has worked as an artist on research projects such as Ongehoord (= unheard of), by the Belgian researcher Dr. leni Van Goidsenhoven, on autism, expression and narrative. She has also initiated her own projects with autistic people and people suffering from mental disorders, such as Without an alphabet and Alvila home.