29th May.
Dance, video animation, holograms and design in new show Anima Obscura by Scapino Ballet. With live music by the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra and harpist Remy van Kesteren.
Scapino Ballet Rotterdam presents the premiere of Anima Obscura on May 29 at the Nieuwe Luxor Theater in Rotterdam during Het festival O. In her first major production for Scapino, choreographer and artistic director Nanine Linning investigates the desire for immortality. From the occult practices of alchemists to the contemporary experiments of biohackers, she explores the urge to transcend the human body.
Anima Obscura is a monumental work of art for a large ensemble of dancers in which choreography, video performance, animation, holograms, costume design and live music merge into an immersive theatre experience. The international creative team of artists led by Nanine Linning and video scenographer Claudia Rohrmoser share both fascination and discomfort with developments in biohacking and artificial intelligence. In this 100-minute performance they respond to the social challenges of these new technological developments.
The performance features the majestic Ein Deutsches Requiem by Johannes Brahms, cut with Ein Schemen by Yannis Kyriakides – a contemporary recomposition for choir, harp and electronics. The music is performed live by the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra with baritone James Atkinson and soprano Aphrodite Patoulidou under the direction of Giuseppe Mengoli, the 50 singers of the Laurens Symfonisch and harpist Remy van Kesteren, who is fully integrated into the choreography.
With her international artistic team, Linning creates a world in breathtaking images that leaves no one untouched. Internationally renowned artists, including fashion designer Irina Shaposhnikova, are working on this innovative performance. Video set designer Claudia Rohrmoser brings the latest technologies to life in a gigantic video decor with 3D animation, holograms and live projections
Anima Obscura is presented in the context of O. Festival for Opera. Music. Theatre. and can be seen from 28 May to 1 June in the Nieuwe Luxor Theater in Rotterdam. The show will go on tour from September.
Photo by Stef Nagel
