AΦE is an Ashford-based dance company founded in 2013 by Aoi Nakamura and Esteban Fourmi. They bring the art of dance closer to audiences through creating high-quality productions and experiences that are not bound by a stage.
AΦE asked us to develop 0AR, an augmented reality (AR) experience inspired by the seminal contemporary dance production Zero Degrees. Zero Degrees, a collaboration between dancers Akram Khan, Sidi Larbi, sculptor Antony Gormley and composer Nitin Sawhney, premiered at Sadler’s Wells, London in 2005. It follows Khan and Cherkaoui on a journey to seek the reference point, the source, the ‘0’ at life’s core. Inspired by their own dual identities, they search for this middle point through polar opposites, becoming/death, light/dark, chaos/order.
In 0AR, we enable audiences to watch adapted motion-captured performances via an iPad that overlay the real environment, revealing the virtual dancers movements around the space. The dancers change form throughout the narrative, shifting between different states. The audience are able to explore and move around the space, and are encouraged to interact with the work – transforming from passive observers to active participants in the piece.
Moreover, each audience member’s device connects to each other wirelessly. In which their actions have a unique influence on the piece, transforming the work into a shared experience.
The experience was previewed at the 18th International Dance Biennale in Lyon to great success. 0AR is currently on display at Sadler’s Wells in London throughout October. Stay up to date with all our events by following us on twitter!
AR Development: Mbryonic
Artistic Directors: Esteban Fourmi and Aoi Nakamura (AΦE)
Producer: JiaXuan Hon (Blackwinged Creatives)
Music: Nitin Sawnhey
Dancers: Jose Agudo, Elias Lazaridis
Commissioned: Sadler’s Wells, London
Co-Produced: Biennale de la danse de Lyon 2018
Support: Arts Council England, Jasmin Vardimon Company, V&A, South East
Dance, The Old Market Brighton, Akram Khan Company, Eastman and Ashford
Borough Council.
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