[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 can be curated 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)
Grafisk design: A EYE (Rapolas Vosylius & Vytis Gruzdys)
[e s c]
[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.
Fotograf: Maya Eneh
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.
More about the work and [e s c] in 2023
In the project [e s c], Ongoing Realities has collaborated with a range of both national and international actors and continued their work with both digital and analogue techniques in the encounter with choreography. OR has, among other things, collaborated with dr_formalyst, the architect, designer, animator and programmer who, together with OR, created animations for [e s c] based on movement digitized with Motion Capture technology.
With the experimental duo A EYE, which combines graphic design with AI and moving image, we have created works of art that animator Yuvia Maini brings to life using Augmented Reality. These digital works can be experienced in a separate exhibition but also as part of the performance [e s c] _performance. For the exhibition (for example the posters above) you can download the AR app "Artivive", open the camera in it and hold it over the artwork, and make the images come alive. You can also use the app in town if you see our posters outside!
The work, or project, was divided into a series of events during the spring where we created different experiences through different collaborations.
The first collaboration took place in February with Tempo documentary festival 2023 when we created a site-specific work where we paired the current in our process with the festival's focus on digital reflections and the development of the camera.
In April, the second collaboration was held, with the gallery and platform Den Fantastiska Platsen where we offered an escapist after work where the animations created for the production [ e s c ] were put in relation to the Belgian artist Jonas Vansteenkiste's ongoing exhibition "Architectural Wounds".
The third collaboration took place on June 1st in collaboration with Stadsgårdsterminalen, when during a club night we presented a duet from the show as well as animations.
[e s c] has since shown at the Stockholm Fringe Festival where [e s c]_dance performance won the award "Innovation In Performance" and [e s c]_artificial and augumented exhibition was nominated for "Best Digital STOFF Experience".
In October, we also showed part of the performance at the Dublin Arts and Human Rights Festival in Ireland, and next year the work will be played at Estrad Norr in Östersund, among other places.
Upcoming 2024
[e s c] _virtual archive
Soon we will release our 4th module from the [e s c] piece. It has been rewarding to allow a process to continue for a longer period of time without having to become just one end-product that is premiered and then over. An approach we would like to cultivate with OR. [e s c] continues to grow and builds on, and will soon meet audiences in more ways and slightly different (virtual) rooms!
Photographer Maya Eneh
