As part of a series of all-night performances gracing Berghain’s Säule, Frédéric Gies and Fiedel present collaboration “Dance is Ancient,” which follows Gies’ “Technosomatics” movement workshop at HAU2 the day before.

“Technosomatics” is a movement practice developed by Gies which invites participants to explore moving to techno both individually and collectively. Exploring endocrine systems and chakras through dancing, while exploring dance through the embodiment of endocrine systems and chakras, participants move with eyes closed in a dark room. Prioritising embodiment and experience over mainstream understandings of anatomy, “Technosomatics” proposes another kind of experience of dance—somewhere other than a somatics/dance class or a dancefloor. The participatory project offers a safe and open space for being alone together and for indulging in altered states of consciousness.

Following the workshop, “Dance is Ancient” arrives in Säule, accompanied by seven hours of music by Berghain resident Fiedel. Workshop participants, techno devotees, dancers, and anyone intrigued are welcomed to join Gies in dancing to Fiedel’s hypnotic techno soundtrack. The format contrasts to the programme upstairs, inviting audience members to dive into different temporalities, engage with works more patiently, or experience the progression of a set together with artists.