The conscious body: an interdisciplinary dialogue, Paris October 2012

Cognitive neuroscientists and dance makers share perspectives on conscious perception and self awareness 
Paris 8 5-7 October 2012

Invited speakers/movers:
Myriam Gourfink
Patrick Haggard
Lisa Nelson
Erik Myin
Bigna Lenngenhager 
Steve Paxton
Eva Karczag
Aaron Schurger

Participation fee: 40 euros

Statement of intent:

This workshop proposes a meeting place for two communities who have been
investigating the nature of consciousness in, possibly radically, different
perspectives. Over the past half a century (and especially over the last 15
years) cognitive scientists and neuroscientists have been studying the
nature and neural basis of our phenomenological 'subjective' experience of
the world, our own body and action and ultimately our selves.  This research
has employed traditional paradigms and scientific protocols of experimental
(neuro)psychology as well as the emerging technology  of human functional
brain imaging  (fMRI, EEG, MEG, TMS, intracranial recordings). Though most
of the research on the topic has taken the traditional   "third person
perspective" , the intimately subjective nature of this topic has led
scientists to integrate subjective reports into their experimental
paradigms. 
The study of consciousness and awareness using subjective (first person)
phenomenological tools has been a central occupation within post-modern
dance and related somatic techniques  since  at least the 1960's. Despite
the shared topic of interest, there has been little cross-talk between
neuroscientist and dance makers .We believe that such dialogue is possible
and that it has the potential to cross-fertilize the research in both
domains. For this purpose we have organized this weekend long workshop. The
workshop will be organized in 3 blocks, each highlighting a specific
dimension of inquiry (shared by both domains). Each block will consist of a
presentation of cutting edge research in the field of cognitive neuroscience, 
followed by a movement practice led by a dance/somatic
practicioner addressing the same general issues. Finally, each block will
end with an open ,informal discussion.  The workshop will start with a live
dance performance and will end with a poster session which will allow for
non-presneting workshop members to share their ongoing dance/scientific
research.


Program:

Friday 5  (studio Keller, Paris)

8 PM:  "The Breathing Monster" ( A dance performance by Myriam Gourfink)  preceded by a  presentation by  Patrick Haggard and followed by an informal
discussion.

Saturday 6 (Dance Studio, Paris 8 University, Saint Denis)

8:00-9:00   A physical warm up
9:15-12:45 Morning theme: body awareness and the self
Erik Myin (talk)
Lisa Nelson  ( Lecture-demonstration/hands on movement exporation)
Open discussion

12:45-14:15 Lunch

14:00-17:45 Afternoon theme: Perception and action, perception as action

Bigna Lenngenhager (talk)
Steve Paxton  ( Lecture-demonstration/hands on movement exploration)
Open discussion

Sunday 7 (Dance Studio, Paris 8 University, Saint Denis)

8:00-9:00   A physical warm up
9:15-12:45 Morning theme: Consciousness of movement , movement of consciousness
Aaron Schurger (talk)
Eva Karczag ( Lecture-demonstration/hands on movement exporation)
    Open discussion

12:45-14:15 Lunch

14:15-17:45 Afternoon theme:   Poster/video session: short presentation by workshop