Studio 88 Artist Residency is delighted to welcome Dr Nitipat Pholchai aka Ong, a Thai physicist-turned-movement artist whose practice blends science, somatics, queerness, and collective healing into deeply embodied artistic expression. He will give a talk, conduct a workshop, and lead an experimental lab titled “The Touch of Movement & Connection” during his time at Studio 88!
Dr Nitipat Polchai (Ong) is a leading figure in the field of Contact Improvisation (CI) in Thailand—an improvisational dance form that emphasizes physical contact, shared weight, and responsiveness between bodies. Originating in the U.S. in the 1970s, CI arrived in Thailand in the early 2000s through workshops and underground gatherings. Ong has been instrumental in localizing and expanding this practice by infusing it with Asian cosmologies, trauma-informed frameworks, and grassroots organizing. His work reshapes CI into a tool for dialogue, inclusion, and social justice.
As the founder of Spine Party Movement, Ong leads a platform committed to making somatic practices and artistic knowledge accessible to the broader Thai public. Spine Party creates inclusive spaces for open exchange, creativity, self-development, and collective movement-building. Through carefully designed workshops and performances, Ong explores how human contact and connection can become catalysts for personal growth and societal change.
In parallel, Ong co-founded the Conscious Movement Collective Bangkok, a community-driven initiative offering accessible somatic movement education and holistic wellness. This collective serves as a safe and nourishing space for individuals from all backgrounds—particularly marginalized and underrepresented bodies—to explore embodiment, healing, and connection beyond the binaries of mind and body.
Ong’s recent choreographic projects, including “Blind Together!” that he collaborate with Blind Movement Artist Sophon Tablkong (aka Toffee) and “Confessions of Queer Uncles,” embody his ethos of radical tenderness, playful intimacy, and deep listening. Working closely with queer, blind, and neurodiverse communities across Asia, Ong invites participants into co-creative processes that center embodied inclusion and grassroots wisdom.
During his time at Studio 88, Ong will continue developing his research into somatic storytelling, exploring how movement can become a form of shared memory, resistance, and liberation. He will give a talk, conduct a workshop, and lead an experimental lab titled “The Touch of Movement & Connection”
Talk: Attendees will listen to Dr. Nitipat (Ong) and Toffee share their ideas and artistic practices around movement and connection. This is a great chance to get to know the artists, their perspectives, and the core concepts behind the work.
Workshop: A guided, practice-based session where participants will engage in exercises involving movement, voice, and participatory theatre. Facilitated by Ong and Toffee, the workshop explores embodied awareness, accessibility, and shared physical expression.
Lab: The Lab will emerge based on what unfolds in the talk and workshop. Participants (including invited artists, musicians, performers) can propose, test, and explore ideas in an open, collaborative environment. It’s less structured, and more about shared discovery and improvisation.
Ong’s presence reminds us that movement is more than performance—it is a practice of presence, a way of relating to others, and a step toward a more connected and compassionate world. We look forward to welcoming like-minded souls who share this passion. Come join us at the upcoming event!
More about Dr Nitipat Pholchai
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