Voguing is an art form that is heavily influenced by the NYC Underground House Music Community. The sub-culture evolved from a creative response to the repression of mostly POC (people of colour) in the LGBTQ community. Voguing was and is a creative and artistic tool used to proudly and confidently show who is outside of hetero-normative categories and societal structures.
The idea behind this workshop is to highlight the social environment from which Voguing and Ballroom culture grew, and to invite workshop participants to create a safe space in order to practise mutual respect and empowerment. While understanding the context is important, the actual practice of the art form will be less theoretical: we will celebrate our bodies, our sensuality, our diversity. The music (Disco, House, Vogue Beats) and the Underground Club Scene are great sources of inspiration and will thus drive our mutual interaction and spontaneity in movement.
Through playful exercises, basic vocabulary, freestyle sessions and short choreographies we will explore different styles and elements of Voguing.
Old way: characterised by graceful and precise formation of lines and angles of the body, inspired by poses drawn from the world of fashion, contains movements that are reminiscent of Egyptian hieroglyphics and martial arts.
Vogue Femme: characterised by "hyper-feminine", fierce movements and gestures. "Femininity" is emphasised and celebrated, irrespective of gender identification. The five elements in this category can either be performed in a very expressive and dynamic way (dramatics) or in a very fluid, subtle way (soft and cunt). The focus of this workshop lies on the latter.
Runway: is not considered a Voguing style per se but constitutes a category at Voguing balls. "Walks" are inspired by fashion models and the looks presented are usually self-designed or self-styled. The focus lies on self-acceptance, self-awareness and presence in the body.
Karin Cheng und Katrin Blantar – La Draganda share their passion for Vogiong and music and have founded a platform through various projects and initiatives, facilitating the practice of Voguing as an art of expression and discover a creative outlet.
Katrin BlantarKarin Cheng
