How to Become an Octopus (and sometimes squid) - Wednesday evening options

By blending cutting-edge science with embodied practice, the workshop How to Become an Octopus (and sometimes squid) invites participants to reimagine intelligence, adaptability, and connection—both within themselves and within the ecosystems they inhabit. Since 2017, the workshop has been taught internationally to hundreds of participants by Miriam Simun for the Institute for Transhuman Cephalopod Evolution.

This experience is open to anyone curious about cephalopods (octopus, squid, and cuttlefish), new ways of sensing, and expanding the definition of self. No prior experience with cephalopod mimicry required—just an open mind and a willingness to experiment and play.

The workshop is informed by insights from neuroscientists, biologists, freedivers, choreographers, and synchronized swimmers, creating a rigorous yet deeply embodied learning experience. Participants engage in a series of exercises that integrate movement, sensory exploration, and speculative research, fostering a profound connection between the human and more-than-human world.

At its core, the workshop is structured around three key cephalopod-inspired intelligences:

Tactile Intelligence: Unlike humans, cephalopods engage with their environment primarily through their skin and suckers, effectively *thinking through touch*. This workshop explores how expanding our tactile awareness and interoception can lead to new modes of perception and interaction.

Shapeshifting Intelligence: Cephalopods are masters of transformation, altering their form, texture, and behavior to navigate complex environments. By studying these mechanisms, participants learn to heighten their situational awareness and cultivate fluidity in their social and physical presence.

Distributed Intelligence: Octopuses possess a radically decentralized nervous system, with the majority of their neurons residing in their arms. Some say the octopus is a single organism with 9 brains. From another perspective, we can say it is nine organisms housed within a single skin. How can multiple humans come to inhabit a single organism with distributed sensory and decision-making capabilities? How is cognition located in the network that spans bodies and environments? Beyond negotiation, beyond collaboration: toward shared cognition.

Location Note: The May 28th workshop will meet at Recess, but then move outdoors to The Naval Cemetary Landscape (10 min walk, weather permitting).

Access Note:

Workshops will last two hours. We will work alone, in partners, and as a group. Please wear clothes you feel comfortable moving in, be prepared to take off your shoes and spend time on the floor. There will be an invitation to come into touch with yourself, your environment, and the others around you.

For those with physical limitations working in a chair is also possible. For specific disabilities please email info@recessart.org ahead of time and we will do our best to accommodate.

Repsonses From Past Workshop Participants

“ I really enjoyed the evolution of going from being a deep sea worm to having octopus suckers. I noticed that just through the workshop prompts it felt like I was moving in a new way.” - Justine L., Consent Trainer & Workshop Participant

“I learned to be more aware of what the people around me need - and I want to stay in touch with this.” - Delilah T., Start-Up Founder & Workshop Participant

Note: This workshop will be available at multiple times:

Saturdays :May 10, May 24, and June 14 from 2-4 PM

AND

Wednesdays May 14, May 28, and June 11 from 7-9PM (If you prefer Saturday options, click here)

Acknowledgements

ITCE was founded by Miriam Simun at the MIT Media Lab, Design Fiction Group. The foundational work was created under the guidance of choreographer luciana achuagar, with the participation of scientist, engineers, dancers and synchronized swimmers, and in conversation with cephalopod husbandry expert Bret Grasse, philosopher Peter-Godfrey Smith, and in deep indebtedness to Vilém Flusser, Karen Barad, Astrida Neimanis, among many others.

About The Naval Cemetery Landscape:

The Naval Cemetery Landscape is a contemplative memorial meadow and native plant, pollinator and bird habitat.Before or after this event, speak to our gardeners and learn about the Naval Cemetery Landscape (NCL) and the Greenway and what goes into maintaining their beauty and accessibility for everyone! The Naval Cemetery Landscape is fully operated, made open as a public space and able to provide space for public programs like this solely by Brooklyn Greenway Initiative through the generosity of our supporters. Brooklyn Greenway Initiative advocates for safe, green bike and pedestrian baths across the NYC area. Learn more at brooklyngreenway.org or @navalcemeterylandscape and @bkgreenway

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The workshop is part of artist Miriam Simun's Session project at Recess, click here for more information and additional programming.

~~ www.miriamsimun.xyz
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