VR Dance
In 2021, MASH established a VR studio for filming and editing artistic content in VR technology designed for viewing through VR headsets and creating a revolutionary audience experience.
Under the auspices of this unique project, MASH operates in three channels:
1- Providing filming services and producing content to be viewed using interactive, virtual technology for Israeli artists and culture centers, and building a rich repertoire of virtual performance content. This approach gives creators the opportunity to reach new audiences through innovative, cutting-edge technology and changes the whole perception of stage performance as a concept dependent on a defined time and place.
2- Establishment of a virtual cinema with 30 VR headsets that allow audiences and visitors to watch high quality cultural performances in an innovative way and creates a tourist attraction (national and international) that displays the multicultural and multifaceted spirit of Jerusalem.
3- Operation of a community destination for underprivileged populations and the tourist community combined. In 2022, MASH presented the VR Dance experience to elderly homes, boarding schools, dance groups, and in a variety of educational programs.
The project is supported by the Jerusalem Foundation, Jerusalem Municipality, and The Jerusalem Development Authority.
During the showcase events, MASH will be giving an update on an ongoing VR research project in collaboration with Kent State University School of Theater and Dance - an attempt to create an environment for dancers in different locations to meet, work and create in a virtual location.
Research team:
Ruby Edelman, MASH co-founder, and CEO
Itay ben Yosef, XR Artist, and Researcher
Jeffrey Marc Rockland, Dance Division Coordinator, Kent State University (KSU)
Jong-Hoon Kim, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Director of ATR Lab, KSU
Jakyung Seo, Associate Professor of Lighting Design, KSU
Sophia Matar, Computer Science - Student Technology Researcher, KSU
Mayhugh Cebula, East Meets West Student President and Dance Researcher, KSU
Irad Avni’s work, “Narkis,” will be shown in a virtual reality format during the showcase events in the afternoon of Monday, December 5th.
A multi-sensory journey to the end of the world and back. A shaky encounter between beings and unusual scenarios that shatter the boundaries of augmented reality. A thick, colorful fog slides off the stage and slowly covers the viewer. Overwhelming and seducing you, yes you! Release all inhibitions and merge into a boundless surge of consciousness.
Performance: Yael Sofer Samson, Danielle Lamensdorf, Tzipi Nir, Tzvika Iskias
Rehearsal and performance management: Gabby Foster
Light design: Dani Fishof /Costumes: Yasmin Steinmetz
Recordings: Lior Pinsky, Amir Meir / Sound design: Lior Pinsky
Music: Andrew Deutsch – loops over land - track 01
Beethoven - Symphony No 9 in D minor, op. 125. Karajan · Berliner Philharmoniker Alvin Lucier - Sferics /Thomas Brinkman - Work /Eyal Golan- Collage
Photo by Gil Volfson
Ruby Edelman
Toafot
Inspired by MORJAN ABU DEBA's work, choreographer Yoram Karmi wishes to explore the temporal dimension, the power of nature and the endless cycle that can be seen as Sisyphean and reparative but also as optimistic and meditative.
Music: Gal Hochberg, Max Richter
Rehearsal management: Inbar Nemirovsky, Noa Sarig
Performance by Fresco Dance Company
Photo by Efrat Mazor
Yoram Karmi
Sisypha
A couple on a journey, deals with the challenges and fragments of thought and memory. Two characters who live in a world that is not necessarily physical, part of which exists only in their minds. They want to help one another, to bolster one another, to succeed together- however, their journey together is wrought with solitude. Suddenly it is unclear where they are going and why. Good intentions are engulfed by vast confusion.
Choreography: Ravid Abarbanel
Dancers: Tomer Giat , Ravid Abarbanel
Sound Design: Ivan Shopov
Photo by Deganit Artman
The piece was developed within the frame of Derida Dance Center’s Residency Program, a project part of the Calendar of Cultural Events of Sofia Municipality for 2017, with the support of The Israeli Embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria.
The piece premiered on September 2017, at the "Shades dance" festival in Suzanne Dellal, Tel Aviv – Israel
Ravid Abarbanel
Aliza
There is nothing in this world but myself.
Everything lies beneath me. I fulfill light and beauty. I have a rich
inner world. I am love and perfection.
Only my reflection exists, I reflect myself reflecting through myself reflecting myself. I am a protected flower.
You might feel clean and free of psychology but at the same time also dead in some sense.
When you visit life you envy her, her totality. You will always have lack of totality I promise that your reflection will not bring death upon you but a peek into your innermost layers, the hidden sides that emerge and erupt every so often;
Give up on creating attempts to uphold your persona.
Don’t show everything at once, leave some room for curiosity.
But you, you are not exactly a classic Narcissus.
I hope that when you leave, you will love yourself and let go, you will be complete.
NARKIS won “best performance” prize at Solocoreografico - Solo Dance competition in Frankfurt
Choreography and performance: Irad Avni
Costume design and artistic advising: Rosello Shmaria
Original lighting design: Eyal Daniel
Irad Avni
NARKIS
05.12.2022 | 16:15