August 25-29, 2025 - Biel/Bienne, Switzerland 

A week of transdisciplinary research in the forest

Organized by MALVAUX – Center for forest based ecosomatic exploration

Theme
For this second edition of the Summer School, the Malvaux forest is our guide, our support, and our playground. Ecosomatic practices and our ability to think-feel-act will be activated to listen to and connect with the forest and its inhabitants. As a pre-movement, a pre-requisite for action, interaction, and self-transformation. To sing, dance, dream, reflect, sleep... To be abundant, silent, alert, at rest. Each day, our practices will be transdisciplinary, incorporating movement, voice, and writing.

Over the course of a week, we will create an ephemeral community of explorers, located in the Malvaux forest. This year, we aim to foster a fertile ground for experimentation and research, where each participant would bring their own desires and engage in a specific aspect of their personal inquiry. They would bring a question or issue that is personal to them, for which the relationship with the forest might provide insight or guidance. The group will serve as a resonance space, where experiences are shared, attempts are made, know-how and knowledge are exchanged, and a critical eye is offered to help move forward in the journey.

Children
Important information: This year, we want to experiment with an inclusive week involving a few children (maximum 10-12, from age 6). We invite parents who wish to attend with their child(ren) to contact us. A joint program, running in parallel, will be implemented during the research periods. Children will spend most of their time outdoors and remain under the responsibility of the parents for the rest of the time.

Séverine will take care of the group and speaks mainly French, with basic knowledge of English, German, and Spanish.

Program
The day will be divided into two parts: mornings from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM with group practices (collective, then children and adults separated), and the rest of the day dedicated to research. We will spend the lunch break at the scout house. We will close the days with collective exchange times, following different modalities. Other exploratory activities may be organized outside this framework, depending on the group’s desires.

One evening during the week, we will sleep in the forest, with the children.

On Wednesday or Thursday evening from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, there will be a public evening with a lecture – to be defined.

Who is this for?
The Summer School is open to those interested in the practice of movement and voice, curious about being in the forest, and already engaged in an artistic research practice for several years.

We ask participants to be available for the full duration of the school to facilitate the group dynamics and research.

Organizers
Joanne Clavel is a researcher in Ecological Humanities at CNRS. She will share with us her sensitive knowledge at the intersection of art and ecological sciences. She investigates how thinking, feeling, and acting intersect within the web of life, and how situated experiences of nature challenge Western dualisms. She will offer reading and reflection workshops in the forest based on selected texts.

Noemie Wyss is a vocal coach. For several years, she has combined her passion for singing, dance, and nature in outdoor explorations during various workshops. She will guide us in vocal explorations throughout the week.

Eve Chariatte is a dancer and choreographer. She is passionate about fascia (the connective tissue) and its ability to make us sensitive/attuned to an environment. She will offer exercises to activate the fascial system and will share sensitive mapping scores she has developed in recent years.

Gregory Stauffer is a choreographer and researcher. His work spans movement, expressive arts, drawing, and writing. In recent years, he has focused on research into sustainability and resilience in creative processes. Inspired by plants and ecological gardening for the past 20 years, he weaves connections between these areas.

Fees
Adults: Accommodation, full board, and workshops: between 400 and 600 CHF, depending on income.

Children: Accommodation, full board, and workshops: to be discussed depending on the number of children.

These rates are made possible through a research grant. However, if you are facing financial difficulties and wish to participate, please reach out to us.

Registration
Deadline: June 15, 2025
The Summer School is open to a maximum of 14 adults.
To register, please send us a short motivation letter (max 1 A4 page) outlining your desires, motivations, and/or research intentions for this Summer School #2. We would like to understand how/if our visions align.

Please specify if you plan to attend with your child(ren), how many, and their ages.

Contact and Registration:
info@malvaux.net

For more information:
www.malvaux.net

More activities at MALVAUX :
https://malvaux.net/accueil/ateliers-publics/