Open Level
16–23 August 2024
Artis Umbria, Italy
Pack your cowboy hat, cowboy boots, western belt, leotard and tights in your favourite colour and get ready to dive into the spaghetti western film genre. After the Gold Rush is a post-apocalyptic spaghetti western with country line dancing. That’s right, a film is being made here!
This retreat is dedicated to the collective alchemy of transforming everyday life into art and emphasises the diverse sources of inspiration of the spaghetti western genre. The day begins with a daily yoga session and country line dancing to anchor participants in their bodies and ground them in this experimental process. After that, it’s all about allowing spontaneity and utilising the opportunities that arise: organising a night shoot at the local train station, singing with piano, ukulele or a cappella, visiting a summer village fest to line dance together, making a spaghetti western movie night and discussing the queer-feminist possibilities of the genre – this and more could become part of our artistic Do-It-Yourself collaboration.
It’s about the possibility of creating a multi-layered experience based on the individual desires and passions of the participants. No previous experience in film, performance or movement is required.
Cowboy hat and boots advised. Always bring comfortable sneakers!
