Dijana Milosevic - Workshop

This workshop had a profound effect on everyone taking part. Dijana asked us all to remain silent for the duration of a two-hour walk, but the silence lasted long after we all had permission to speak once more. After an opening dialogue exercise where all the participants were asked to share with the group how they were feeling (how they were really feeling, and not just what they might feel was acceptable to share), Dijana asked us to trust her that ‘something magical’ would happen on this walk. We were instructed not to talk, not to mime, not to try to communicate things, but rather to let things happen to us, to notice, to be aware, to be in the moment. This workshop early on Thursday morning, saw participants tired and not a little overwhelmed by the pace and intensity of the residency, and a number of eyebrows were raised about the prospect of the ‘nothingness’ ahead of us. But under Dijana’s assured and empathetic guidance we set off as a peculiar silent army across the concrete of the campus and out on to the lakes and fields beyond.

The emotions expressed on that walk came thick and plentiful, and such oddities and curiosities emerged from the (familiar to some) physical landscapes, and in the dynamised emotional interactions between the company. On our return, Dijana asked the group to write an individual response to the walk and then began a story-telling circle where the writing was shared – we have included Dijana’s and Ivana’s pieces here, but many were too personal and emotionally reflective to include on this video.