Tamandua and Gestalta – Announcing presenters
Tamandua
Tamandua is a full time rope artist and Kinbaku instructor based in Berlin.
I have a passionately sadistic streak and a deep love for the aesthetic realm of Kinbaku. Having learned from a broad variety of teachers, partners and collaborators the strongest influence on my approach is a mix between more ‘classical’ erotic Japanese semenawa and the wildly deconstructed styles of some European riggers. The first taught me about fantasy and desire, the latter about the joy of playfulness and the body. For me, the core of kinbaku lies in the meeting between the aesthetic expression and the emotional or erotic intention of the practice. And the more ones tying develop, the more seamlessly the parts can intermingle.
As for practicalities I nowadays work almost exclusively with suspensions on bamboo. I like to keep within a framework not too vast and mostly stick to a few basic building blocks, seldom use experimental or complicated patterns. Instead I let creativity happen around fetishistic details, levels, angels, narrative and intention.
Often tying in a way which can be challenging both for the one tying and the one in the ropes, my approach to Shibari usually demands a lot of technical clarity. Despite this I believe that as a teacher it is important to also manage to leave room for personal adjustment and creativity.
Find more of Tamandua here:
Gestalta
I am a British shibari teacher and performance artist, and I was first introduced to shibari in 2007.
I have an interest in exploring the potential of ropes to open up new ways to connect with the body, with other people, and the effects of pushing myself into seemingly ‘extreme’ psychological and physical states.
My approach to shibari teaching has evolved as the result of over a decade of practice on both sides of the ropes and a broad range of influences which I appropriate, mix and develop in my own practice. This has shaped my teaching style into one that seeks to reflect the experience of both tying partners on a deep level. I have a strong belief that shibari should not be prescriptive and encourage students to explore it as a flexible set of tools; adapting each tie to the body of the tied partner, and to their needs and desires within each individual situation. My teaching process aims to enable this by giving students a framework of the fundamental principles behind shibari; including safety efficiency and fluency, but also body awareness, communication, and conscious consideration of their own experiences and motivations.
I absorbed most of my technical style a natural process of observation and experience from inside the ropes of the people I was tied by as a model.
To date, I have performed and/or taught around Japan, Australia, and many European cities including London, Moscow, Paris, Berlin, Rome, Athens, Prague, Geneva, Barcelona, Lisbon, Oslo, Helsinki and Lyon.
Find more of Gestalta here: gestalta.co.uk/
Workshops
Strappado lab
(Presenter: Tamandua, Workshop level: L2-3)
Tips and tricks for tying strappados. Body and rope management, aesthetics and play.
Intermediate and up. Confidence in basics. You need to be able to spot difference between circulation issues and nerve issues.
Hands in front harness
(Presenter: Gestalta, Workshop level: L1-3)
This harness is one designed to be minimalistic and simple to tie, in comparison to many hands in front harnesses which have very complex structures. The arms are held in a relaxed position, which could be helpful for anyone who struggles to get their hands behind their back or to sustain more restrictive ties.
Face-up suspensions
(Presenter: Gestalta, Workshop level: L3, registration required)
The workshop is an introduction to suspending from the front of a chest harness. By performing a simple transition will look at key elements including the function of a third rope, the position of the model’s body and how to make a more sustainable tie.
Exposing ties
Exposure is a common and powerful key element in kinbaku for many. Especially in explicitly erotic scenes it can heighten the sense of objectification in a shameful or simply appreciative sense. We will go through ties that rely heavily on exposure as well as talk about how to play this topic during a scene beyond building the tie itself.
Experience with suspension lines and lock-offs needed. Couples should feel positive and safe playing with this type of theme together.
(Presenter: Tamandua, Workshop level: L3, registration required)
Strict ties with bamboo on the body
(Presenter: Tamandua, Workshop level: L2-3)
When not using suspension ropes can sometimes lack the straight lines and stiffness wanted for certain strictness. In this workshop we try several ways of incorporating thin bamboo into the ties to lock and torment your partner.
Lower intermediate and up (confidence and experience in basics needed).