Pontus Lidberg's Centaur Debuts at Oriente Occidente Festival
Swedish choreographer Pontus Lidberg premiered 'Centaur' with Danish Dance Theatre at the Oriente Occidente festival in Rovereto, Italy. The work explores artificial intelligence through a live AI partner named David, developed with AI artist Cecilie Waagner-Falkenstrøm and composer Ryoji Ikeda. Dancers wear collars with sensors that receive vocal instructions from David, whose algorithms analyze their emotional and behavioral data. The performance draws on the Greek centaur myth, blending real and virtual realms. Lidberg questions whether AI can feel or manipulate humans. The piece is a co-production with Théâtre National de Chaillot and The Royal Danish Theatre.
Key facts
- Pontus Lidberg directed 'Centaur' for Danish Dance Theatre.
- The work premiered at the Oriente Occidente festival in Rovereto.
- AI named David interacts with dancers via sensor collars.
- Cecilie Waagner-Falkenstrøm contributed AI expertise.
- Ryoji Ikeda composed the electronic score.
- The piece is co-produced with Théâtre National de Chaillot and The Royal Danish Theatre.
- Dancers' movements are algorithmically analyzed and projected on screen.
- The performance references the Greek myth of centaurs.
Entities
Artists
- Pontus Lidberg
- Cecilie Waagner-Falkenstrøm
- Ryoji Ikeda
- Wayne McGregor
- Merce Cunningham
- Ariella Vidach
- Claudio Prati
- Ravi Deepres
- Giuseppe Distefano
Institutions
- Danish Dance Theatre
- Oriente Occidente Festival
- Théâtre National de Chaillot
- The Royal Danish Theatre
- Artribune
Locations
- Rovereto
- Italy