During 2020’s first worldwide lockdown, creatives of all sides turned to their own resources and passions to cope with isolation time. Among the increasing events turned online taking place during this time, there was Alvin’s newly shaped initiative – a livestream session exploring Movement Meditation in the Berlin techno and dance music context.
His agenda could be quickly grasped in his Facebook event descriptions, like:
Wednesday, April 22, 2020 at 4 PM UTC+02 – 5 PM UTC+02
Public · Hosted by Alvin Collantes - Dose of Pleasure / Photography / Meditation / Gaga and Gaga in Berlin
"Dose of Pleasure" with Alvin Collantes
open to all people - designed to shake the fear and uncertainty out of our system
30-40 minute journeyI know we are all feeling afraid, nervous and scared during this sensitive moment in time. I am feeling the same too. I am stuck in Berlin away from my family in Canada and this is my way to connect with their love.
I talk strongly about energy. I have experienced many fears, doubts, panic, worries and demons that showered me with pain. With these moments, I work with understanding the root of my pain and using it a guiding force to allow myself to become vulnerable and evoke these moments through the physical acts of listening. I teach people with immense passion, to celebrate the joy of being in the moment together, to find what it means to really feel your truth inside the power of your groove.
This is my approach to this Corona pandemic. Let’s face this fear and turn it into something that feeds us - energy that can help us get through sensitive moments. We stretch, we move, we sing with our bodies and vibrate to a frequency that is full of love and passion.
Sessions are free for anyone to try but you are welcome to donate to Alvin’s Gofundme page for those who can show support, your love is deeply appreciated.
Alvin is a Canadian-Filipino Berlin based artist with an informal background in movement practices, such as Gaga (b. Israel) and contemporary dance. I have been following and documenting the development of Dose of Pleasure since its online form through livestreams, up until its IRL sessions throughout the summer and back to the present moment, which is again a silent isolated one.
Alvin’s full circle journey leading Dose of Pleasure will be featured in my current editorial series called IRL Stories, a self-initiated collaborative project that portrays how artists and creatives across Europe, whose work holds space for a live audience, are using their creativity and resources to adapt to these times of radical change, while coping with governmental safety measures in place.
The first article of this series is about portuguese performer and pop artist Ghetthoven, to be released online in November. Stay tuned.