flow statements
our forum for documenting + sharing your creative moments of MTN magic
what are flow statements?
it’s a placeholder name for the performative aspect of this school - we do not practice the skills to engage in competition like you’d expect the rest of the industry to do
these are works of improvisational creativity - being expressive in an honest way that utilizes a multi-layered skill compendium
flow statements are short bursts of a ski dance/movement sequence that has been filmed + edited into a performance + visual + auditory art piece that has something that speaks to you. 🎿 📼 🎶 🤺 🔥 🏔️
—> when a critical mass occurs within this community - there will be pieces that will play onto another and some that will define what is next
the template for creating these works of your artistic expression are here for members to use
this is a legitimate art form and to claim this as such one must be…create in the moment. not easy to do in the often toxic environment of the ski industry - we have a method and ways to open you up to an amazing world only a few get to experience
this is not a competition and definitely not oriented towards the repetition of that which will only ensure you a high score from a panel of international judges
how can this be art?
as a practice -> whether endeavored in a solo or a group -> the dynamic reveals itself to be moment of perfect flow ->this updated approach truly strikes a balance between the definition of art & sport.
the flow statements are often not your best overall presentation of self in motion. in fact many of my favorite improvised flow statements are completely not what i intended or has some moments where i might look wonky. its ok. i film them myself usually and collect them over the season. after a whole season i have plenty of footage and material to use in creating various form of expression. i have learned a formula for getting into a creative and open state that bypasses expert mind and sets up an organic opening to the statement that sets it into free form. without this - it becomes rote repetitive and ego involved display
here is what it normally happens to prepare to get in flow statements->
stand in ready position at your mark above the postioned camera below
with the right groove single ear bud playing the song that feels good
begin rocking/swaying the body
add some easy stepping and begin the pole rhythmics ( see further details)
allow this to sync with the music and move around a little more body oriented not skier (exo suit)when you feel it slightly beyond the mark position
when the moment is right it will pull you into the movements - it can sometimes work your body into movements automatically or sometimes there are blips of conscious signalling to the body that works in tandem not as the sole controlling pilot who may want to show off a particular movement to those who are watching.
i usually end with something energetic/ complicated free form jazz or one of my favorite places - laying in the snow with style and flash.
the camera at the bottom of the space on the hill is given attention at the finish with some sort of feeling or iexpression of the moment
i stop the camera and breqk for a minute and then start filming again as i hike up the hill for a 2 -3 minute hike. i take a breather and then begin the process over again
the skiing or movements ( sometimes its mostly steps and poles) can take up to 25-50 seconds. i edit them down a few days later and catalog them.
for those who are hungry for sharing on social - know that there is gold in these pieces. there are smaller movements that can be edited from a throwaway piece that will work in a piece later on.
be sure to try to wear the same outfit often and use the same location or angle for mutabilty in splicing moments into a more cerebral piece of video/performance art
these packaged and formulated templates for invoking improvisational expression and generating happy happy energy in your life i believe is the way to develop a different way of experiencing sport. i envisioned it during my last days as a competitive “acro” skier who felt deeply about holding onto the one thing that allowed him to experience joy during a troubled childhood.
I can foresee that any sort or competitive realm is possible through this time of becoming and we will see how it unfolds - there will be events that bring together the most impactful of creators and peformers to share but also to play out in ways that move beyond the commercial sports industry whose rules arbitrary rules are way more ridiculous than what is being described. but feeling something in the moment is further experienced when it is caught on video without intention of choreography
that is the difference between sport art and spectacle
