VENUS UNBOUND


A Lab for Archetypes, Desire and Radical Self-Authorship With Anna Valeska Pohl

This is a laboratory for the unruly: a space for those who want to reclaim their voice, awaken their creative force and explore new ways of being in the world.

Together we go on a quest.

In this workshop we play with archetypes that have long been shamed, feared or controlled — from Venus to Mary Magdalene, from Lilith to the Sirens, from the Good Girl to the Lover, the Witch, the Warrior or the Whore.

Through writing, movement, voice, meditation, ritual and playful exercises we explore questions such as:
- Which parts of ourselves have been hidden, censored or shamed?
- What brings us pleasure, joy and aliveness?
- What kind of power do we want to reclaim?
- How can we practice resistance — individually and collectively?

Drawing inspiration from feminist thinkers such as Audre Lorde and bell hooks, as well as myth, poetry and collective imagination, we experiment together with new stories about who we are and how we want to live.

For this pilot session we will work with at least two archetypal figures — one ancient, one more contemporary — exploring both their playful and their shadow sides.

Venus Unbound is a collective laboratory, a temporary community where we support each other in exploring desire, resistance, care and radical self-authorship.

No previous experience is necessary, just come with openness to the process. Participants are always free to participate at their own pace or simply observe certain exercises.

Language
The workshop will be facilitated in English, while participants are welcome to share and express themselves in German or English.
Der Workshop wird auf Englisch moderiert. Beiträge und Austausch sind auf Deutsch oder Englisch möglich.

What to expect
The workshop may include:
- short introductions to mythological narratives and feminist texts
- guided group reflection and collective inquiry
- embodied exploration of archetypes through movement, voice and body awareness
writing exercises and symbolic acts
- partner and group exercises
- guided meditation or imaginative journeys
- collective sharing and closing reflections

What to bring
comfortable clothes for movement
, your notebook for writing exercises

Duration
18:30 – 23:30 (5 hours including break)
The space at IKSK is available from 18:00, allowing time for arrival.

Suggested participation fee:
30€ / 50€ / 70€ sliding scale

Drop in or registration: annavaleskapohl@gmail.com

Bio
Anna Valeska Pohl is a Berlin-based performance artist, writer-director and philosopher. She is the founder of the performance collective bambule.babys, a breeding ground for unruly femininity and queer futures. Her most ambitious work to date is the Baby Paradise Trilogy, a multimedia body of work on trauma and taboo, featuring a “Barbie doll–playing sex worker”.
As an educator, she creates temporary communities for poetic resistance. She has worked with diverse groups including artists, students, queer youth, refugees and incarcerated individuals.

Instagram: @annavaleskapohl
Website: www.bambule-babys.de

Photo credit:
Anna Valeska Pohl, photographed by Kelly Tatham