Instructions for Future Gestures

FUTURE GESTURES In a world which is gradually becoming less tangible, the gestures of greeting can evolve into something more than a symbol of tradition or cultural identity. The greeting gesture makes emotions tangible, reviving the necessity of human touch.

project by: GABRIELA BAKA, AYA BENTUR &MARTINA DUGONI

EQUILIBRIUM GREETING

1. Walk towards each other.

2. Touch fingertips to fingertips.

3. Lower the palm of your hand until your hands are flat against each other.

4. Lean on each others hands.

The handshake is used as a greeting gesture but it originates from a gesture of agreement. Therefore we have transformed the handshake into a process of adapting and achieving equilibrium between two people.

THE FOREHEADING GREETING

1. Walk towards each other.

2. Lean forward and let your foreheads meet gently.

3. Roll your heads against each other to one side.

4. Roll your heads to the other side.

Cheek kissing is a gesture of friendship and greeting, but it has become automated and mechanical.

The foreheading is a search for a sense of presence in a momentary union between two people.

THE FINGERTIPS GOODBYE

1. Take the hand of the other.

2. Touch the fingertip above the nail under the nail.

3. Reapet for all fingertips.

4. Switch roles, let the other touch your fingertips.

A wave goodbye is too short to contain emotion.

The finger goodbye goes against the hasty goodbye. By touching each finger we prolong the ritual of separation emphasising the anticipation of meeting again.

SHOULDERING

1. Stand next to each other, that your left shoulders touch each other.

2. Lean your head on a shoulder of other person.

3. Stay in this position as long as you want.

4.Change

Placing your hand on someones shoulder is a show of sympathy and trust. Placing your head on someones shoulder conveys intimacy and comfort, but also protection and care. In both situations there is one participant which is active and another which is passive, implying some sort of power play or dependence. The shouldering reframes those gestures as reciprocal, creating a mutual action of touch, sympathy and comfort.

FUTURE GESTURES IN Residence workshop #7 Today Was Tomorrow September 2014

project by: GABRIELA BAKA, AYA BENTUR &MARTINA DUGONI