Particiaption in two-day online Symposium - PLAYFULNESS

«Carnival» Revealing in a metaphor a dramatic event of one's life; transformation of a «behavioral parasite» into an imagery artwork; the play with "parasite", the «Carnival» buffoonery, as a fest of the «behavioral parasites»; subjugation of the «behavioral parasite», liberation from its power over person.

The Carnival as a Mystery Play with One’s Own Shadowy Image

During the «Carnival», the participants get acquainted with their less-controlled behavioral social interface, or a shadow image. Mostly, this image is, in essence, an artificial, substitute «personality» of a Person’s self. This is a characteristic typical image, a social role, a mask that creates a reputation in society and in personal relationships with other people. This is a Character familiar to everyone in our surround, but not so much to ourself.

«Behavioral parasite»

We call this Image (Character) - a «behavioral parasite», or simply a «parasite» - not because it is bad, but because it parasites on the Person’s means of expression and our vital energy without one’s conscious will, participation. We study the movements, sound, intonation and voice of this «parasite image», its morals and values. Participants discovering it for themselves, get to know it, with the video recordings support and the supervision of colleagues.

In the Carnival, we identify behavioral repetitiveness and identify this fabulous creature. Participants in the Carnival compose a fairy tale about how this creature took over their world. Thus, the student recognizes a myth that is used later for their plot and implementation. When composing a fairy tale, the student goes beyond their own myth, ceases to be a character and becomes an author.

The Carnival ends with the ritual of washing off makeup and removing the costume, and ends with the entry of a person. Together with the costume, students take off the load of a persona that is not typical of them, find themselves in a state of vulnerability and strength at the same time, and encounter their own unique beauty.