Explore the role of art, humour and radical love as a form of resistance

AN INVITATION
Join Police Officer Az-Oolay for a one day workshop exploring the power of clowning to meet oppression with love. Sharing stories and techniques from her extensive experience – over 300 shifts in the streets, at protests and demonstrations across Jerusalem, the West Bank and beyond – Officer Az-Oolay aims to to transcend violence and oppression and to connect all beating hearts through love.

WHAT IS IT?
This work embodies the mind and the qualities of the clown; bringing joy, humour and softness to spaces and times of divisive narratives.

“Narrative creates belief creates action” James Peck

At its core, the essence of clowning is transformation; turning pain into creativity; reshaping our collective spaces through the belief in the inherent goodness of humanity; and meeting difficult situations with love. Officer Az-Oolay’s workshop will involve a presentation of her work and stories from her experiences followed by an embodied session focusing on “Straight to the Heart” Police Clown training including clown and physical theatre techniques.

The role of the Straight to the Heart clown police, is to diffuse tensions between uniformed authorities and civilians. It is also a reminder of our shared humanity, challenging established power dynamics.

This embodied workshop will invite participants to question:

• How do I exercise faith?
• How do I serve the space?
• How does my heart become generous and funny?
• How do I tell a story of love from my heart in times of bloodshed?
• How can I ‘gap the mind’ and spend some time in the gap without running back to my habits?
• How can I practice joy?
• How can I share it?

WHO IS IT FOR?
Clowns, activists, theatre practitioners, circus and physical performers, socially engaged practitioners and artists of all kinds, enthusiasts and the curious!
Anyone interested in exploring new forms of activism or expanding their understanding of clowning as a form of political expression.
And anyone who wants to use humour and laughter to change the world.

APPLICATION & INVESTMENT
To apply please fill in this form by Friday 19 May 2024: https://forms.gle/V2tF82onAuZ3qZyX8

Once invited; the course investment is: £40 – £75 sliding scale depending on your means
A couple of bursary places are also available. Please get in touch if you would like to apply for one: email hidden; JavaScript is required

ABOUT OFFICER AZ-OOLAY
Officer Az-Oolay (“then may be” – in Hebrew”) is the lone officer of the Yashar-el Ha-Lev (Straight to the Heart, in Hebrew) police force. The clown officer was a creative response that emerged from the weekly demonstrations in Balfour Street in Jerusalem in 2020, against the corruption of Netanyahu’s government. As protesters were met by increased violence from police, Officer Az-Oolay entered, dressed in a wrinkled blue uniform, a flower garlanded police hat, a red clown’s nose. Officer Az-Oolay creates an inverted mirror to bodies of the police, the army, and bands of citizens who oppose equal rights; trying to break down the repressive power that they represent. Working throughout Jerusalem, the West Bank and beyond, Officer Az-Oolay ushers in a new political imagination, providing moments of mercy and healing in these complex political times.
@Shoteretazoolay