Tamás Liszkai - Ideograms (Zygmunt Molik's ABC of the body)

One of the major discoveries of Jerzy Grotowski's legendary theatrical period, the Opole-Wrocław period, was the discovery of the so-called IDEOGRAMS in the actor's technique. Grotowski claimed that the actor's process of work is based on a system of ideograms - sounds and gestures - which, in a single signal, evoke a number of associations in the psyche of a human community, and are thus also connected to the ARCHETISTIC ACTIVITY of a community. In essence, they are like ancient hieroglyphics; decorative, artistic signs, yet not images in their own right, they have no meaning on their own, but only when placed side by side. Their combinations, however, give rise to linguistic forms as rich as any written or spoken language can be. In the case of the play, this is the score.

The workshop looks for such ideograms in the body and voice work of the candidates to create a short acting score that can evoke a range of images in elementary form from those who are sensitive and attentive to the signs. Through signs, a common language is created, which is both artificial and artistic.

Ideograms are the search for forms that exist within us. Self-observation and expression. Connection with the technical elements and elementary techniques of body and sound. And to this extent, also a relationship between people: one always shapes and expresses, the other always receives. Ideograms are born spontaneously; to organise them requires discipline and rules, like a language.

The workshop does not require any previous training in acting, anyone (over 17 years) can apply, the only important thing is the activity, openness, courage, humility of the participant, and a sincere commitment to his body and voice.

What the participant will need: comfortable clothes to move in

The workshop will be led by Tamás Liszkai, Project Manager of Parastudio

Tamás Liszkai - Project Manager of Parastudio; has attended theatre workshops in Wrocław with Rena Mirecka and Zygmunt Molik, leading actors of the Teatr Laboratorium directed by Jerzy Grotowski; Przemysław Błaszczak, actor-trainer of Teatr Zar; Mario Biagini, artistic director of the Workcenter of Jerzy Grotowski and Thomas Richards, and Mario Biagini, artistic director of the Workcenter of Jerzy Grotowski and Thomas Richards. Since 2005, he has been giving workshops for amateur actors at the Workshop for Paraliturgical Research (later Parastudio). Since 2010, he has been a researcher at the Open Research University programme of the Grotowski Institute in Wrocław.