[e s c] - a modular art piece

With a base in choreography, [e s c ] came to develop into a cross-disciplinary and modular artwork that explores escapism as a concept and condition and where, among other things, the logic of algorithms and social media inspired the choreographic investigation. The work consists of five modules, which together and individually form the experience of [e s c].

(1) [e s c] _dance performance
(2) [e s c] _animated choreography
(3) [e s c] _artificial and augmented exhibition
(4) [e s c] _dance film (coming)
(5) [e s c] _virtual archive (coming)

A EYE (Rapolas Vosylius & Vytis Gruzdys)

[e s c] - Premiered June 16th 2023
at the SITE/Specific festival in Farsta, Mårbackagatan 11, House H.

[e s c] is a modular work that explores patterns of escapism where components from different time periods, digital animations and four dancers transform the stage space into an enigmatic place where past, present and future meet. [e s c] takes as a point of departure  inthe need for pause and imagination but also how technology and algorithms transform or change our escapist tendencies. Instead of focusing on what is good or bad, [e s c] explores both dystopian and utopian ideas linked to our need for escape from reality and what this does to the bodies on stage. Algorithms and social media have stimulated the choreographic investigation and the piece takes the visitor on an escapist journey through different emotional states and expressions in an eclectic mix that makes you question who is looking at whom and at what. The relationship of escapism to capitalism is explored as well as questions of the relationship between escapism and presence, flight and change .

Production: Ongoing Realities
Concept and choreography: Anna Näsström and Johan Bandholtz
Dancers: Anna Borrás, Matilda Bjärum, Anna Näsström and Johan Bandholtz
Sound design: Rosanna Gunnarsson and Yared Tilahun Cederlund
Lighting design: Angela X Ariza
Animations: dr_formalyst
Video artist: Tanne Willow
Photographer: Tanne Willow and Maya Eneh
AR Creator: Yuvia Maini
Poster and AI design: A EYE, Vytis Gruzdys & Rapolas Vosylius
Costume: OR
Scenography: OR

With the support from The Swedish Arts Council and the City of Stockholm as well as through residencies with PlayLab Skövde, the University of Skövde, the Art Museum in Skövde, Site Incubator in Farsta and Danscenter Sthlm.