An invitation – FREE EVENT

Open Studio 

Common Room, Chapter, Cardiff

8th May 2025

2.30 – 6pm 

Hi everyone, 

I’ve come together with anthropologist James Leach and we are both involved in a research project called The Choreography of Consent. The project brings together Dance and Law practitioners with a question around the movement of consent.

We invite you to an informal Open Studio.

James and I are approaching this from the angle of how do we “come into contract”, and by this I don’t necessarily mean the written, sign on the dotted line version or not even the spoken or physical understandings that come into play.

James and I understand, as community practitioners, that consent is complex, messy, layered and continuous. I like the idea of consent being continuous, a navigation, that success, even if it goes wrong, success is how we might go about continuing or ending well..

Many of us like our law to perhaps be able to protect us or even free us.

Our law colleagues Sean and Jess talked about how we like our law to be clean, bright lines and they are the first to admit it just isn’t, its blurry and that as far as law and the everyday is concerned, Jess said “law doesn’t really capture the everyday”

And as I write this I’m wondering if they would consent to me writing this in a public invitation? (endless layers…)

I’m holding this phrase dear

“We are consenting to explore the unknown.”

We’ll be devising ways to meet (moving, listening, dancing, walking…) and devise ways to document and reflect on what is happening together.

With James’ anthropological hat on there maybe things to notice or acknowledge, feedback or gather

For us there will be no clear line at the end but we hope to begin to articulate what is happening and honouring the idea consent is complex, evolving and takes into consideration everything including space, time, who, how and why.

In general, as a facilitator, I never ask anyone to do anything, I simply ask people to be themselves, which as we have learnt can often be a work in itself.

I will make sure there will be fruit and snacks! 

Please email jofongjofong@gmail.com to book a place.