Through the SHIBARI MASTERCLASSES, we introduce the advanced Shibari community in Zurich to outstanding contemporary Shibari artists from Europe and beyond.
Felix is one of the best-known and most respected riggers on the European scene. He is known for his wild and anarchistic personal style, which, while heavily inspired by Japanese techniques and aesthetics, nonetheless represents a strictly innovative European approach.
Felix draws heavily on his artistic background as a professional dancer and choreographer, blending his knowledge from 45 years of dance and theater with his more than 20 years of experience in rope bondage.
Felix has a wide range of skills, from mastering strictly traditional forms to free, creative composition, and from offering pragmatic solutions to exploring artistic questions. He therefore not only teaches technical tools and techniques for working with rope and anatomy, but also imparts knowledge about sculptural and process-oriented aspects: how to compose with space and time, how to create meaning, and how to blend intuition and technique to achieve emotional or theatrical effects.
TAG 1
In his courses on partial and full suspensions, Felix focuses on introducing new patterns, unusual restraints, and technical shortcuts that go far beyond so-called “traditional” techniques. He believes that the most important skills for long and complex suspensions are a solid foundation of knowledge and an understanding of anatomy—but above all, speed and skillful rope handling, the ability to set up functional and flexible suspension systems, and the ability to execute changes and transitions smoothly and without hesitation. In addition, the ability to read the body’s capabilities and use tension and pressure wisely to make stressful situations more sustainable. The ability to maintain a compositional overview, an understanding of physics and architecture, and the application of physical and emotional mechanics. And to remain humble: to be able to handle any mistakes with composure.
Of course, the model’s skills also play a key role in rope bondage suspension. For this workshop, Felix will be collaborating with Yael Stormborn (Los Angeles), who has extensive experience as an aerialist, performer, and rope model. Her main apparatus is the Lyra and the aerial hammock, but she also performs as a fetish performer in goth clubs in Los Angeles. Yael is part of an erotic, surreal, and dark art-performance collective called >> the house of red velvet
TAG 2
Through an introduction to performance skills, Felix seeks to convey a deeper understanding of the rope as a creative element, the bodies involved, and the compositional aspects. A performance is more than a simple demonstration of technical skills and memorized patterns. Even on a technical level, an interesting rope bondage performance should showcase unusual and original ways of using rope: new methods of restraint, and perhaps even innovative patterns and techniques never seen before.
The power of space should be taken into account; distances and levels, lines of sight, and posture can become powerful tools. The audience is an active part of the theatrical process and must be engaged and integrated. The effectiveness of good timing must be honed; beginnings and endings, rhythm, and temporal structure are powerful tools for generating stage presence and sustaining interest. Listening and shaping the acoustic space are key elements in creating atmosphere, adding color, and conveying meaning.
In addition, personal commitment and the creation of a theatrical identity will be a focus: the emotional ability to command the stage and channel sensations and feelings into expression. The question of representation should be addressed. What do we want to show? What message do we want to convey? The concepts of narrative and subtext will be introduced, as well as other possible guidelines and compositional tools.
Of course, this workshop is also ideal for anyone who has no performance ambitions whatsoever. All the skills practiced here can also be used as powerful magical tools in your personal practice; they will inspire your bondage sessions and enhance the experience for you and your partners.
Skills / Prerequisites
— Proficiency in at least one stable Takate Kote /
Gote-Shibari / Chestharness suitable for suspension (secure tying in max. 5 min)
— Experience with partial suspensions and suspension
— Fluent mastery of suspension lines / zuri lines
— Generally intermediate or advanced tying skills and experience
— Good communication skills and practice
— Please note that this is a high-
-risk workshop, particularly with regard to nerves
— The workshop is designed for partner work in pairs consisting of a rigger and a model
— More info & booking below
Yael Stormborn
Of course, the model’s skills play an essential role in suspension. For this workshop, Felix is collaborating with Yael Stormborn (Los Angeles), who has extensive experience as an aerialist, performer, and rope model. Yael trained in traditional forms of ballet and contemporary dance from an early age before discovering aerial acrobatics four years ago. Her main apparatus is the lyra, but she can also be seen performing in aerial hammocks and on the traditional pole. When she discovered rope bondage, it was a turning point for Yael, allowing her to draw parallels and connections between aerial arts and rope bondage and to create a lexicon accessible to both rope tops and bottoms. As a kink performer, she is particularly interested in sharing the work she does with her body with others and exploring how this impacts her role as a cultural provocateur. Artistically, Yael’s work is largely influenced by eroticism and the exploration of surrender,
She often plays with proximity, perspective, and the interplay of light, sound, and touch to evoke an emotional response. Yael performs at many underground fetish clubs in Los Angeles and at Playa Alchemist during Burning Man. She is also a daughter of >> the House of Red Velvet, an erotic, surrealist “dark art” performance collective in Los Angeles.
Yael Stormborn on >> Instagram
Impressions of Felix’s work—for more, see also >> here
SCHEDULE
Sat, Mar. 18, 2023 - 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
Sun, Mar. 19, 2023 - 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
LANGUAGES
, German, English
Choose your ticket price based on your own assessment.
With our Low(er) Income Tickets, we want to give low-income individuals the opportunity to attend our events.
We cordially invite high earners to make it with a higher contribution possible for us to make this offer.
With that in mind, we thank you in advance for your solidarity.
For people with particularly low incomes, there are usually additional options available for even lower prices.
Please don't hesitate to write to us and ask any questions. We'd love to have you join us!
Ticket booking per pair—rigger & model. Please note the eligibility requirements…
PRICE PER PAIR
, CHF 620.00
Low(er) Income Tickets
I - CHF 560,00
II - CHF 500,00
III - CHF 440,00
I Supporter Tickets – CHF 680.00
II – CHF 740.00
III – CHF 800.00
Please also read all further info below, too.
FURTHER INFORMATION
PACKING LIST
• plenty—at least 10!—of standard-length bondage ropes
• a few—preferably oval—carabiners—or, if desired, a ring—for suspensions
• a simple, solid-color outfit for the model
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE EVENT
The goals of our events are collaborative learning within the group, supporting shared processes, and personal development. Couples and all other types of partnerships or arrangements are welcome, but you should be aware and open to the fact that the courses are not designed as partnership experiences and that we address each person as an individual. For example: To involve all participants equally, we usually work with randomly assigned partner combinations during the exercises. This means there will be both same-sex and opposite-sex pairings. Participants should generally be open to working with any person and any body. Exceptions can be discussed on a case-by-case basis.
Gender identity, sexual orientation, age or membership of often marginalized groups such as BBIPoC, migrants, refugees, LGBTQIA*, disabled people, etc. are not criteria when registering and selecting participants. This means that, in principle, everyone is equally welcome and we endeavor to do justice to the respective constellation and different needs, but our resources are limited. If you have any questions in this regard, please contact us.
We expect you to act with care, be communicative, prioritize consent, and be mindful, and we encourage you to respect your own boundaries and take personal responsibility.
Hate speech will not be tolerated. Please bring “Candy Speech” with you.
We reserve the right to ask participants to leave the workshop if their behavior is harmful or overly problematic, and we reserve the right to do so without explanation—though we will likely try to explain it. The workshop fees would then be refunded in full. Any further claims are excluded.
You can read more about this topic here.
PRICES AND IF SOLD OUT
With our Low(er) Income Tickets, we want to give low-income individuals the opportunity to attend our events. We warmly invite those with higher incomes to help us make this offer possible by contributing a bit more. With that in mind, we thank you in advance for your solidarity.
For PEOPLE WITH PARTICULARLY LOW INCOMES, there is usually the option of even lower prices. Please don't hesitate to write to us and ask. We'd love to have you join us!
Is the event sold out on the ticketing platform? Contact us! There may be a waitlist or another way for you to attend after all.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancellations are free of charge up to eight weeks before the course begins; up to four weeks before the course begins, a cancellation fee of 20% of the course fee applies; and up to two weeks before the course begins, a cancellation fee of 50% applies. Later cancellations and refunds of course fees are not possible. However, participants may find replacement participants to take their reserved spots. If the organizer cancels the course, the full course fee will be refunded. No further claims are permitted.