THE ARK

PEOPLE IN CONTACT
BECOME A RESIDENT
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What is it about?
Co-living contact impro residency project
in a mountain retreat in Western Georgia.

Home for creative people from all over the world.

Safe space for people to be in contact.

Embodiment exploration

The project explores a new human identity based on embodiment and mindfulness. We explore the possibilities of the human body in order to develop a holistic, ecological and healthy life.
Recreation and retreat

We live surrounded by the mountain forest, eat natural food, meditate, hike, go to sauna and sometimes have parties. The place is quiet, water is soft, the air is clean and the views are stunning.
International community

The residence is home to designers, entrepreneurs, dancers, writers, architects, school teachers and even financial analysts. We are from different countries and we value the cultural exchange.
The toolbox

Main directions of our practice, teaching and research

Contact Improvisation
Partnering dance practice, philosophy of togetherness and improvisational playground
Contemporary Dance
Exploring the vocabulary of human body movement
Bodywork
Body regulation and treatment partnering techniques
Aesthetic Education
Wide range of aesthetic development practices - music, voice, art, tasting and more
Meditation
Solo practices for regulation of body and mind - tea ceremony, tai chi, somatics, breathwork and more
Wellness
Conscious nutrition, skincare, cold bathing, mountain hikes
CREATION / RESEARCH HUB

Besides training classes, and intensives, the residency also offers creation and facilitation of artistic creations.

- The participants can choose to be part of the ARK creation group and delve into a creative process guided by a resident choreographer who will facilitate the process. The creation is intended to be research-based and include all the aspect of the performance, from music to light design. At the end of the month the creative piece will be performed in an open sharing within Gomarduli premises.

The final choreographic pieces will be documented with photo and video material.
Daily schedule example:

- 08:00 - Yoga

- 10:00 - Breakfast

- 11:30 - Contact Improvisation class/lab/jam/score

- 14:00 - Lunch

- 16:30 - Contemporary dance/bodywork/meditation/music class

- 19:00 - Dinner

- 21:00 - Contact and music jams, ecstatic dance, parties, movies, bodyworks and more

Resident Teachers
Christine Cole
USA
Embodiment
Nini Ghibradze
GE
Yoga
Yu Gen
UA
Meditation
Concetta Cariello
IT
Contemporary dance
Guest Teachers
Contact Improvisation
Otto Akkanen
FINLAND
June
Ulli Witteman
GERMANY
July
Danielle Sardella
ITALY
August
Summer Contact Workshops
Be in touch
In the beginning of my dancing and dance training, I never was much for working with images or imagination.

But more and more I danced and more and more I taught, I noticed, that I can’t explain some of the qualities of movement I sense in any other way than through imagination.
Dance
What's the possible meaning of these terms in dancing CI, in the physical interaction with our own and another person's body?

How can I create a state of relaxed awareness, where every moment is an invitation to learn and grow and every surprise is a gift?
Dance
We will start warming up the body with the DanSoma Postural Training (a stretching in movement
developed by the teacher that improves both the body's health conditions, its coordination skills and then
the movement quality), we will study handstand and acro dance movements

Dance
Gomarduli Zen Garden
The first and the only retreat center in Georgia. The perfect spot for meditation, yoga, mindfulness, and outdoor activities. Gomarduli is created for inner discoveries, healing, refreshing, inspiration, and finding your people.

It's a place where you can pull back, withdraw your everyday life and focus your attention on things that you truly love.

Where will you live?

- We have 5 wooden cottages, each has 4 double rooms
- All rooms are located on the second floor of the cottage

Each room has a balcony, a wardrobe, a private bathroom with towels and toiletries.
Ground floor has a fireplace and panorama windows.
Restaurant, meditation, yoga & dance halls are located close to the cottages.

Rooms


We have rooms with the forest or mountain view.

4 rooms on a second floor of each of 5 houses.
Every room has a bathroom and a balcony.
Ground floor of the cottage is a public space, with kitchenette, fireplace and big windows.

We live in a shared double rooms.
Single room is available by request.
Spaces
We have 2 studios - 200 sq.m. indoor studio with the wooden floor and 300 sq.m. outdoor space with dancing linoleum. Also we have a tea bar, sauna, spacious terrace for dining, indoor chillout and beautiful forest around.
What do we eat?

Vegan rustic food, fresh local vegetables and fruits.
Nutritious and delicious.
Guilty pleasures like cheese and fish are also around :)

As for the drinks, we are offering fresh coffee, blackberry tea, wild strawberries tea, chinese teas, cacao and more.

I don't have experience in dance. Can I come?
Yes, we are beginner friendly. We have both, educational and research programs.

While here, you don't have to participate in everything, but you can choose your own rhythm and level of involvement in the center's activities.

Most of the program is designed for all levels.

How long I can stay?
From 1 to 6 months.

If you have been in the residency for 6 months, you will need a one-month break before you can return to the residency again.

There is a possibility to stay for a shorter time in our comfortable hostel. You will be able to attend classes with the resident teachers and to join the most of our activities.

Can I bring my pets/children?
Yes, we are children and pet friendly. Children till 12 will get a 30% discount.
Can I buy things around? Any other restaurants?
We are the only restaurant around. We have a bar and a small store with chocolates, lighters and fruits. We don't sell tobacco. Once a week we are getting our supply from the city, you can order things you need and they will arrive on the scheduled day.
Can I offer my class/service?
Yes, we have slots in the schedule for the residents classes/labs.

If you want to offer some service/product in exchange for payment, please let us know. We're not demanding our share, we just want to make sure you're not offering absolution or karma correction.
What do I need to bring with me?
Personal belongings, clothing, knee pads, toiletries, some small presents/yummies from your country for other participants. For the personal mobile card we recommend Geocell, their internet works best here. Also we have a tradition of gift exchange - we give genuine Chinese/Taiwanese tea in exchange for a good book/vinyl plate/house plant.
Are there conditions for remote work?
Yes. We have a coworking space, 25 Mbit/s Wifi, tables, chairs, lamps and inspiring views
What language do you all speak?
We are coming from different countries, so we choose English as a main communication language.

Besides of it you can meet French, German, Spanish, Russian, Ukrainian, Georgian, Turkish and Italian.
Getting into the country
From March Georgia allows to enter people from the EU, Israel, USA, Switzerland, Norway, Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Belarus and Turkey
with 72-hours PCR test.


Rest of the world:

Can come having the document about vaccination (any kind of vaccine)


Gomarduli is a Covid-free place. It is a mountain resort, the village is about 1 km away, about 40 families live there. We are about 30-40 people living here, those who arrive, are coming with the test or vaccine.

For questions, please contact us:

somaticfest@gmail.com

Whatsapp/Telegram:
+38 050 287 86 10

How to get to Gomarduli!
Gomarduli Village
60 km from Batumi
GPS 41.6639° N, 42.1968° E
(You have to pass Shuakhevi first!)

Bus website (from Kutaisi)
Train website (from Tbilisi)

Your best friend in Georgia:
+995 591 01 77 22
gomardulilife@gmail.com
Cost
One month:

Shared double room - 700 euro
Single room - 1100 euro
(Yes you can come with your friend
and split the pay for the single room)

Including accommodation, food and all of the workshops and events

30 resident spots only


Join Us
(You will receive an e-mail with next steps to complete the registration.)
What are you coming for?
When are you coming?
When are you leaving? (7 days min)
Room Type
(If you only come for the workshop, accomodation is in the shared room)
How did you hear about us?
Say something :)
Are you going to make the prepayment within 3 days after the registration?
You will receive an e-mail with next steps to complete the registration. Please check promotions folder too and sign us as inbox material ;)
Support  Zen Garden
We would rather focus on research and creation than pursuing funds for projects. Your support will help us do what really matters, and we are happy to share with you the rewards of our work such as performances, educational courses, texts, videos and arts.
Become a patron
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