Shadows of aikia
2013 performance
Shadows of aikia is a movement-based interactive audiovisual performance presented in May 2013 in the frame of Month of Performance Berlin.
Akkamiau / audio (CZ)
Alessandra Leone / video (IT)
Hen Lovely Bird / movement (USA)
special guests:
Giovanni Marco Zaccaria / interactive technology (IT)
Lain / creative coding (CH)
Laura Biagioni (IT) / curator and production
↑Pics by Dario-Jacopo Laganà www.norte.it
This movement-based interactive audiovisual performance, “Shadows of aiKia” is a project following the previous performance II aiKia II, presented live at Platoon Kunsthalle on 18 August 2012. II aiKia II was conceptually inspired by the process of individuation, described by Carl Gustav Jung’s analytical psychology.
Conceptually, this most recent incarnation is based on a deeper analysis which focuses on the “shadow aspects” of our egos; parts of our personality which remain unconscious, which we are not aware of, with our tendency to reject or ignore these negative aspects. There are necessary steps to uncovering dark shadows by paying attention to processes of negative aspects of our minds mirrored by other people. This is called projection. Once we see clearly, like in a mirror that life sets in front of us, why certain things are making us angry, disturbing us or stirring our emotions, we need to understand it and embrace it as equal parts of our individualities. This new approach allows us to comprehend a positive side of denying those “wrong” parts, taking new perspectives, for example that we could achieve certain goals due to our fight against them. There is also a “white” shadow as positive aspect we admire. It might inspire us to behave like our idols, therefore if we accept this positive shadow, we might achieve similar aims as of our heros.
The goal is to find our true self in repeating self-actualization; we face the history of ourselves in a continuous link to our unconscious past which repeats, ultimately setting a pattern which creates our future.
For this performance art piece we design an environment where the stage performers are not bound to static expressions of sound and visuals. We are working with behavior-based approaches in reaction with interactive software settings for sound and visuals. These approaches and technologies affect the environment; adjusting the situations of appearance of shadows, their recognition as mirror effect and projections, their acceptance in the complex of the personality, change of the position of ego towards those elements. We want to achieve an emotional and physical sensation for the audience where the sound and visuals are in interaction with the dancer embodying the space we will create. This will be done with original visual and audio content, software and hardware interaction. This dynamic interactivity engages both the stage performers and audience to a deeper level of interest and identification.
Another possible interpretation Shadows of aiKia is research and examination of the relationship in between body and its biological existence and system of elements, light and sound, both vibrations in the space existing in due to time line. What is the relationship between human consciousness, space where it’s placed and its perception of time. We reproduce a metaphorical creation of the relativity of those dimensions, according to theory of special relativity, testing the limits of speed and trying to win over the equation defining energy and mass.
The visual and audio elements will be connected with the dancer’s heart beats, body heat and sweat, which will be the consequences of mind and body reactions onto the audiovisual environment. The dance and movement will focus on duality and the juxtaposition of one’s ego of light and/or dark shadow in the space defined by and in relationship to the visuals and sound.
The space and time, light and sound will become other shadows of the person in the labyrinth of its existence.
↑Pics by Dario-Jacopo Laganà www.norte.it