_A collaborative dance experience
MARKET
_Synopsis
A 35 min interactive VR experience, based on Igor Stravinsky’s masterpiece, The Rite of Spring.
As they interact with an ever-changing nature-inspired world, visitors’ unique movements and gestures are matched by those of mysterious AI driven beings. This community of movements creates the outcomes of mesmerising yet inevitable, sacrificial dance. How will our gestures affect our fate?
_Technical sheet
Format: Interactive VR stand alone and LBVR
Running time: 35'
Status: In production
Versions: English, French
Year: 2025
Authors / Directors: Sandra RODRIGUEZ, Alexander WHITLEY
Producers: Marion GUTH, François LE GALL, Sandra RODRIGUEZ, Sebastien GRENIER-CARTIER, Donna MEIERDIERCKS, Alexander WHITLEY
Production companies: a_BAHN (LU), NORDRA (CA), ALEXANDER WHITLEY DANCE COMPANY (UK)
Studios: Velvet Flare (LU), Normal Studio (CA)
With the support of: FMC (CA), SODEC (CA), BFI (UK), Creative XR (UK), Catapult Digital (UK), Arts Council England (UK)
RODRIGUEZ Sandra
Director / VR+AI
Sandra Rodriguez, PhD., is a creative director (VR/XR/AI) and researcher in emergent media technology. In 2016, she founded the Creative Reality Lab, where she explored futures of immersive documentaries in VR/AR/AI. She has worked on feature films, interactive, web-based and immersive experiences (VR, AR, AI) and large-scale exhibits (DoNotTrack, Deprogrammed_VR, Big Picture, Manic_VR, Chomsky vs Chomsky: First Encounter, Sex, Desire & Data), garnering multiple awards, including a Peabody (DoNotTrack, 2016), best Immersive experience (IDFA DocLab 2016), best VR (Leipzig DokNeuland 2018), and a prestigious Golden Nica Award at Prix Ars electronica (2019). Rodriguez’ work explores the relationships between AI, VR and human creativity, from XR, to live performance, multi-user games and large-scale installations.
Rodriguez is a Sundance StoryLab Fellow, a Sundance Institute and a MacArthur Foundation Grantee. Since 2016, she has founded and lectured the HackingXR program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT’s first official class on immersive media creation. Sandra combines immersive knowhow, creative production, and a fascination for felt, human centered and body-led user experiences.
Sandra Rodriguez, PhD., is a creative director (VR/XR/AI) and researcher in emergent media technology. In 2016, she founded the Creative Reality Lab, where she explored futures of immersive documentaries in VR/AR/AI. She has worked on feature films, interactive, web-based and immersive experiences (VR, AR, AI) and large-scale exhibits (DoNotTrack, Deprogrammed_VR, Big Picture, Manic_VR, Chomsky vs Chomsky: First Encounter, Sex, Desire & Data), garnering multiple awards, including a Peabody (DoNotTrack, 2016), best Immersive experience (IDFA DocLab 2016), best VR (Leipzig DokNeuland 2018), and a prestigious Golden Nica Award at Prix Ars electronica (2019). Rodriguez’ work explores the relationships between AI, VR and human creativity, from XR, to live performance, multi-user games and large-scale installations.
Rodriguez is a Sundance StoryLab Fellow, a Sundance Institute and a MacArthur Foundation Grantee. Since 2016, she has founded and lectured the HackingXR program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT’s first official class on immersive media creation. Sandra combines immersive knowhow, creative production, and a fascination for felt, human centered and body-led user experiences.
Alexander Whitley is an award winning choreographer whose pioneering work with digital technology has placed him at the forefront of innovation in contemporary dance. His multi-disciplinary practice, focusing on the use of motion-tracking and interactive technology, spans stage, installation, film and immersive platforms.
Founding Alexander Whitley Dance Company in 2014, his productions, created with studios such as Marshmallow Laser Feast, The Guardian VR and HTC Vive Arts, have toured theaters around the UK and internationally and have been presented at London Film Festival, SXSW, Mediale and Romaeuropa amongst others.
Alexander is a New Wave Associate at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, a former choreographic affiliate of the Royal Ballet and Rambert and has created work for many of the UK’s leading dance companies. He is a founding member of New Movement Collective and a tutor on the Design for Performance and Interaction Masters program at The Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL.
WHITLEY Alexander
Director / Choreographer
Alexander Whitley is an award winning choreographer whose pioneering work with digital technology has placed him at the forefront of innovation in contemporary dance. His multi-disciplinary practice, focusing on the use of motion-tracking and interactive technology, spans stage, installation, film and immersive platforms.
Founding Alexander Whitley Dance Company in 2014, his productions, created with studios such as Marshmallow Laser Feast, The Guardian VR and HTC Vive Arts, have toured theaters around the UK and internationally and have been presented at London Film Festival, SXSW, Mediale and Romaeuropa amongst others.
Alexander is a New Wave Associate at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, a former choreographic affiliate of the Royal Ballet and Rambert and has created work for many of the UK’s leading dance companies. He is a founding member of New Movement Collective and a tutor on the Design for Performance and Interaction Masters program at The Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL.
PRODUCED BY
WITH THE SUPPORT OF
