Workshop with Hannah Bauer

In collaboration with artist Ima-Abasi Okon, several makers were invited to provide inspiring workshops around Okon's solo exhibition. In these workshops, participants will engage with the central themes of the exhibition namely: how ideas of progress relate to people, society, and politics.

The exhibition raises questions about how ideas of improvement, used to justify the appropriation of land in settler colonialism, are still seen in today's focus on optimising the body. The workshops offer a space to explore these connections physically, relationally, and critically. Drawing on their own disciplines and expertise, the ambassadors will lead group of participants through workshops to address physical and mental endurance, slowing down, biomedical techniques for life extension and tactics for survival within the welfare state.

What happens inside your body without you seeing it? In this unique workshop, biomedical technologist runner and program maker with the feminist collective the Wave Hannah Bauer takes you on a physical exploration of the invisible processes in your body-from heartbeat to breathing, from blood vessels to muscles. As a biomedical technologist specializing in the development of biodegradable blood vessels, Hannah has a comprehensive understanding of the human body’s physiological processes. Her role involves collaborating with a team to conceptualize, design, and refine these vessels, ultimately ensuring their successful integration into patients’ bodies. In her workshop Hannah will connect her technological and scientific expertise to the exhibition by Ima-Abasi Okon. Using imagination and theatrical techniques, she will guide the group in understanding internal bodily processes that are normally invisible.

With her practice in the development of biodegradable blood vessels, and as a member of feminist collective the Wave, Hannah connects science with body awareness, movement and imagination. Inspired by the work Screen Test for the Psoas Muscle (2023) by Cally Spooner, that activates the deep-lying psoas muscle—often called the “emotional muscle”—a hidden structure that influences posture, movement, and emotional flow, we will learn through theatre exercises in understanding internal bodily processes that are normally invisible

What to expect?

• Introduction: how does your body work inside?
• Warm-up: movements inspired by the heart, lungs and kidneys
• Interval training: varied theatrical exercises linked to processes such as blood circulation and breathing
• Breathing meditation: about shared air, rest and recovery· Reflection: short exchange in the group
• We conclude with a drink in the Van Abbe café.
• Accessible to all, experience is not necessary.

Practical

• Bring: Comfortable clothes
• We will gather in the hall of the Old Building in front of Ima-Abasi Okon's solo exhibition. The workshop will take place in the exhibition.
• The workshop lasts 45 minutes

About Hannah Bauer

Hannah Bauer is a biomedical technologist and works at the medical technology company Xeltis, where she contributes to the development of biodegradable blood vessels. Besides her work, she is committed to feminist initiatives, organises book clubs and is active as an amateur dramatist. In her practice, she connects scientific knowledge with physical experience and social engagement.

More about the exhibition by Ima-Abasi Okon

Ima-Abasi Okon’s solo exhibition Incorporeal hereditaments like Love [can] Set(s) You Free, according to Kelly, Case, Dru Hill, Kandice, LovHer, Montel and Playa with 50 - 60g of –D,)e,l,a,y,e,d1;—O,)n,s,e,t2;— ;[heart];M,)u,s,c,l,e3;[heart];—S,)o,r,e,n,e,s,s4; opens May 10 in the Van Abbemuseum in Eindhoven. Ima-Abasi Okon presents a collection of old and new work in as many as 10 rooms of the historic section of the building. The exhibition raises questions about how ideas of improvement, used to justify the appropriation of land in settler colonialism, are still seen in today's focus on optimising the body.