"Second Body" is a groundbreaking digital dance production conceived by Anarchy Dance Theatre in 2015. This immersive performance delves into the complex interplay between humanity and the digital realm, exploring the profound implications of integrating technology into our corporeal existence. As we navigate the digital age, we confront the question of whether our physical bodies can adapt to the emergence of a digital counterpart, and if so, how we can leverage our embodied experiences to navigate this new frontier. At the heart of "Second Body" lies a poignant exploration of the transition from our organic selves to a hybridized cyborg state. Against the backdrop of this pivotal moment in human history, the invaluable wisdom gleaned from our primal bodies serves as a compass, guiding us towards a symbiotic fusion with technology. The performance unfolds as an intricate tapestry, weaving together elements of somatic awareness and technological augmentation. The journey begins with a profound examination of the corporeal form, as performers delve into the intricacies of the human body's anatomy and physiology. Drawing upon the rich tapestry of embodied knowledge, they lay the groundwork for a transformative exploration of the body's potential. Through a synthesis of movement and visual projection, the production introduces the concept of a "second body" — a digital manifestation that transcends the constraints of our physical selves. As the boundaries between flesh and code blur, "Second Body" invites audiences to contemplate the nature of identity and embodiment in an increasingly digitized world. How do our perceptions of self shift as we oscillate between these two realms? And what new modes of understanding emerge from this dynamic interchange? Through mesmerizing choreography and cutting-edge technology, "Second Body" offers a thought-provoking meditation on the evolving relationship between humanity and the digital domain. It challenges us to reexamine our assumptions about the nature of embodiment and invites us to envision a future where our bodies transcend the limitations of the physical realm.
2015
45 mins
2023 Chroniques – Biennale of Digital Imagination, Aix-en-Provence, France.
2022 Taoyuan Art x Technology Festival, Taoyuan, Taiwan
2022 Music and Dance Arts Festival, Taichung, Taiwan
2019 Phantom Fever, Beijing, China
2018 Georgetown Festival, Penang, Malaysia
2018 Crossroads Festival, Warsaw, Poland
2017 Click Festival, Helsingør, Denmark
2017 One Dance Week, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
2016 Taiwan Art & Technology Festival, Taipei, Taiwan
2016 Rencontres Chorégraphiques Internationales de Seine-Saint-Denis, Paris, France
2016 Polytech Festival, Moscow, Russia
2016 The Eco-Expanded City Opening Show, WRO Art Centre, Wroclaw, Poland
2015 Premiered in Ars Electronica, Linz, Austria
“La confusion entre la scène et la salle engendre une connexion inédite entre le performeur et le public.”—— Le Monde, France (June, 2016)
Production|Anarchy Dance Theatre
Concept, Choreography|Chieh-Hua Hsieh
Software Development, Visual Design|Ultra Combos
Sound Design|Yannick Dauby, Ultra Combos
Lighting Design|We Do Group
Custom Design|Yu-Teh Yang
Stage Manager|Hsiang-Ting Teng
Soloist|Shao-chin Hung / Kuan-ling Tsai
Dramaturgy|River Lin
Tour Management|AxE Arts Management
Project Mentor|Justine Beaujouan
Project Consultant|Kevin Cunningham
Commissioned by Quanta Arts Foundation/QAring
Supported by Ministry of Culture, Taiwan