Cultural & Educational Association 'Ich Bin OK'(Austria)

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Eastern European collaborations - Cultural & Educational Association ‘Ich bin O.K.’(Austria) www.ichbinok.at

Hana & Attila Zanin

With the support of Cultural & Educational Association ‘Ich bin O.K.’ (‘I am Okay’)

Outline • History • Philosophy • Inclusive Dance Pedagogy • Performative Activities

History 37 years „Ich bin O.K.“ 1979 foundation of the a group of 12 members called „Ich bin O.K.“ by Prof. Dr. Katalin Zanin

The name „Ich bin O.K.” (“I am o.k.“) was taken from the transactional analysis. This is an - at the time well known - psychoanalytic theory and method of therapy wherein social transactions are analysed to determine the ego state of the patient (whether parent-like, child-like, or adult-like) as a basis for understanding behaviour. The positions are stated as: I'm OK and you are OK. This is the healthiest position about life and it means that I feel good about myself and that I feel good about others and their competence.

Katalin Zanin got her education from the University of Budapest in the field of Conductive Education at the Petö-Institute. In Vienna she studied Psychology and theatre science and was executive director of “Aktion Mensch”, an awareness campaign for people with disabilities History 37 years „Ich bin O.K.“ Early Years: 1979 - 2009:

1981: The International Year of Disabled Persons (UN): Performance at Künstlerhaus Vienna: „Mit und ohne“

1982: "Ich bin O.K." was invited for a welcome reception by Austrian president Dr. Rudolf Kirchschläger

1983: Official registration as an association

1984: Invitation at the International "Very Special Arts“ Festival in Washington D.C., Performance at the White House

History 37 years „Ich bin O.K.“ Early Years: 1979 – 2009 (cont.):

1993: Katalin Zanin and Maria Dinold were invited for an intensive workshop by the Spastic Society New Delhi, India

1994: Start of collaboration with International Dance Week (later called ImPulsTanz) in Vienna

1996: Publication of the book „Miteinander/S" (“Together but different“) by Maria Dinold and Katalin Zanin

1997: Foundation of the staging group "Diana" in cooperation with the ballet school of the Vienna State Opera House

History 37 years „Ich bin O.K.“ Early Years: 1979 – 2009 (cont.):

2000: Start of cooperation with the Vienna State Opera House (Dir. Ioan Holender; Ballet Dir. Renato Zanella) „Off Ballet Special“ Matinee in the Vienna State Opera

2001: „Off Ballet Special“: Opening of the 45th Vienna Opera Ball

2003: Change of work location using a space in the neighbourhood of the Opera House (Art for Art – Workshops of the Austrian Federal Theatres) History 37 years „Ich bin O.K.“ Recent years: 2009 – today

2009: after 30 years of leadership of Katalin Zanin the new directory took the lead: Hana Zanin & Attila Zanin

Hana Attila Dance education with priority for ballet at Dance education at the Ballet school of the Prague Dance Conservatory. the Vienna State Opera. Further study of dance pedagogy at the Further education in „Urban Styles“ in Folkwang high school in Essen. Stuttgart with Marco Macal, Niels „Storm“ Active Dancer in companies in Czech Robitzky, Mr. Wiggels und Diamond Frost. Republic, Austria, Germany and Switzerland. Numerous participations at competitions. Part of „Off Ballet Special“ Matinee in the Vienna State Active Dancer with „Off Ballet Special“ Opera and of the Opening of the Vienna Opera Ball. Matinee in the Vienna State Opera. Teaching Hip Hop Teaching contemporary dance technique, dance- and Dance - old school, Popping and Locking, and inclusive contact improvisation, dance theatre and inclusive dance. dance.

They both choreographed and directed more than 13 full length productions for „Ich bin O.K. and other groups! History 37 years „Ich bin O.K.“

Recent years: 2009 – today - future

2009: Participation in „Tanz die Toleranz – Exil“, 2015: Guest Performance in Albania Gasometer Wien, directed by Roystem Maldoom 2016 : Performances: 2010 : Foundation of the „Ich bin O.K.“ Dance Company > Opening Ceremony of the Special Olympics World Winter > „Moha in Dir“ at Festival „Tallers Musicals D’Avinyó“, Spain Pre-Games in Schladming, Austria > ImPulsTanz Festival at Akademietheater, Vienna 2011: First summer dance camp at Gnadenwald, Austria Sept 2016: Opening of new studio facility 2013: Performances: > Akademietheater Vienna in the frame of the theatre-meeting March 2017: Opening Ceremony of the Special Olympics „Junge Burg“ Word Winter Games in Schladming, Austria > ProART Festival in Prague (in cooperation with dancers of the Vienna State Opera

2014: Performance and Workshops: Participation at the competition - THE VIENNA > International Dance Week Dresden INTERNATIONAL BALLET EXPERIENCE (VIBE) > Festival “Kultur am Rande” in Reutlingen http://www.vibe.international/

Philosophy „Art for Change“ The philosophy of „Ich bin O.K.“

ART FOR A CHANGE! >> include individuals with and without a disability in cultural life >> social inclusion! ACTIVE & EQUAL PARTICIPATION in culture and society! >> perception and acknowledgement of artistic expression in the centre of the activities ARTISTIC VALUABLE & DEMANDING TRAINING for all! >> promotion according preconditions, individual pedagogical concepts, successful creative evolvement SENSITIZATION OF SOCIETY for relevant topics! >> awareness of relevant social-critical and political topics through the medium dance theater ENTHUSIASM FOR DANCE & THEATER as a contribution to QUALITY OF LIFE! >> openness, diversity & acceptance

Philosophy „Art for Change“ The inclusive approach of „Ich bin O.K.“

Individuals exist in a process of dialogue – which in general means to communicate (with words, gestures, movement, mimic, music, dance, …), to accept each other and to reach out to the others – or simply respect each other!

All relations in a dialogue affect and influence the persons involved. Inclusive pedagogy is no special pedagogy but realises general principles of human development and learning trough grounded and subject oriented learning situations. The individual abilities of each member of the group are defining the preconditions for inner differentiation of the contents. Philosophy „Art for Change“ The inclusive approach of „Ich bin O.K.“

Inclusive learning through dance means, that ALL members of a group learn, play, experience, work on abilities with respect to

* their individual level of development * their actual perceptual, cognitive, and activation competences * being respected as equally valued (not homogenous) participants * being in cooperation with each other * working on the same content/ theme/ intention/ project

Inclusive Dance Pedagogy The working methods of „Ich bin O.K.“ „Art for Change“ (General structure of our dance classes)

. Rituals (for greetings for starting and ending a class) . Respect of specified rules (punctuality, healthy nutrition, proper clothing, …) . Strength exercises (for the back, upper body, legs and feet, ...) . Acquisition of elements of the various dance techniques, like ig. release tec., Limon tec., contact improvisation, Locking, Popping, Electric Boogaloo, breakin, _ballroom dancing… . Stretching exercises . Movement games . Rhythm exercises . Work in/on space . Free improvisation . Promotion of autonomous creative activities/processes

Inclusive Dance Pedagogy The working methods of „Ich bin O.K.“ „Art for Change“ (intentions, long-term goals) Dance is able to support: Personal development Enhancement of autonomy, proactivity, courage, self-confidence, healthy level of assertiveness, openness, motivation, communication, team compatibility, social competence, discipline

Cognitive competences: Concentration, resilience, memory, learning, mindfulness, intellectual capacity, perception, orientation, creativity, imagination, will, emotional intelligence, rhythmic and musical awareness, orientation in time and space

Physical competences: Physical fitness, muscle strength, coordination, balance, endurance, motor development, body awareness, posture, flexibility, strength, quickness, … Inclusive Dance Pedagogy The working methods of „Ich bin O.K.“ „Art for Change“ (Long-term goals for the dance studio)

Prerequisites > A genuine interest in learning dance and exploring own creativity

Activities as dancers: > The possibility to choose between 17 classes to fit in individuals interests and abilities. > Regular dance training 1x per week (á 1-1.5 h) > Occasional rehearsals up to 2 hours > Cooperation with students of all ages > Small and big national performances Inclusive Dance Pedagogy The working methods of „Ich bin O.K.“ „Art for Change“ (Additional long-term goals for company dancers)

Prerequisites > Advances capacity in contemporary dance technique, dance and contact improvisation, hip-hop dance > Abilities which allow intensive, self induced and flexible artistic work > Ambition to become an artist

Activities as dancer: > Regular dance training and rehearsals 2x per week (á 3,5 h) > Occasional rehearsals up to 6 hours > Cooperation with guest dancers and choreographers > Small and big performances, optional tours both national and international Inclusive Dance Pedagogy The working methods of „Ich bin O.K.“ „Art for Change“ (additional long-term goals for company dancers)

Activities as dance assistant:  Supporting the dance teacher in class and in workshops (demonstration and explanation of exercises and choreographies, keeping an attendance list)

Future plans: > Professional education for dancer and dance assistant (15h per week, 9 months) > Employment as dancer and/or dance assistant (20h per week) Performative Activities Practical Examples of „Ich bin O.K.“ „Art for Change“ Dance Studio

5 full length productions of the dance studio with our 100 dancers

(„Das tanzende Haus“ (2010)„Welt/er/schöpfung“ (2011)„The Magician of OK“ (2012),„East Side Story“ (2013), „Aladins Erkenntnis“ (2015)

Performative Activities Practical Examples of „Ich bin O.K.“ „Art for Change“ Dance Company

4 full length productions of the dance company with approximately 10 dancers („Moha in Dir“ (2010); „3 Geschichten über Freundschaft“ (2012); „Getrennt – Vereint“ (2014); „Kein Stück Liebe“ (2016))

About 30 small or larger performances at theatres, at festivals, ball openings, congresses, festivities and other events >> reaching about 7.000 spectators per year Performative Practical Examples Performance Activities „Art for Change“

Aladins Erkenntnis (Trailer) 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijH_5dNLu5c "Ich bin O.K." Imagefilm mit Interviews (2015) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdg21wL1J-Q "Getrennt - Vereint" (Aufführung im Odeon Theater) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pw366t9svqI Kino Spot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfMLB-BBySU „Kein Stück Liebe“ (Trailer) 2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIrEKxaUXEI

Performative Activities Practical Examples of „Ich bin O.K.“ „Art for Change“ (recent cooperation)

Austria: Cooperation with universities, dance or other schools and companies • USI-Workshop: „Ich-bin-O.K.“ in cooperation and Institut für Musik- und Bewegungspädagogik sowie Musikphysiologie INKLUSIVE TANZPÄDAGOGIK – Tanz und kreatives Bewegen für Menschen mit und ohne Behinderung • Dancability www.dancability.at • Tanzmontage http://www.balance.at/tagesstruktur/kunst/tanzmontage • T-Rollers http://www.t-roller.at/

Performative Activities Practical Examples of „Ich bin O.K.“ „Art for Change“ (recent cooperation)

International: Studio „Oáza“ Culture Centre for people with mental disabilities, Prague http://www.studio-oaza.org/

„Protyboty“ Brno: http://www.protyboty.cz/

Inclusive Dancefestival of Moscow: www.inclusive-dance.ru/en/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUa0Ahgk2Fo The students of the Russian State Specialized Academy of Arts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYx_zUhrHQI Special Credit “Ich bin OK”- leading team

Hana Zanin Attila Zanin Mag. Helmut Syrch Helga Neira Dr. Maria Dinold Stephanie Weislein Prof.Dr. Katalin Zanin Creative Director Creative Director Commercial Manager Pedag. Guidance Pedag. Guidance Assitent Founder

Team: Dance Pedagogues

Hana Zanin Attila Zanin Helga Neira Dr. Maria Dinold Edgar Lliuya Suni Löschner

Kirin Espana Kathi Hofkofler Gerhard Schweiger Louise Knof Elina Lautamäki Graciela Brand Performative Thank you for your attention !! Activities „Art for Change“