Body / Insect / Machine 2020
Body / Insect / Machine
ACTIVATORS 2 – Prue Lang & Mathieu Briand
Movement experiments – human, insect and mechanical bodies
This video artwork is a movement experiment between Prue Lang’s choreography, artist Mathieu Briand’s androids and a Phasmid (stick insect). The work explores the body/androids/artificial movement/intelligence on the one side and the body/human instinct/natural movement/nature on the other. Through the creative process, Lang and Briand have observed, responded to and manipulated the complex relationships between these concepts, approaching the distinctions between physical presence vs. artificial presence with curiosity.
Artistic Director Antony Hamilton
Executive Director Kristy Ayre
Program Producer Kristina Arnott
Production Manager Blair Hart
Presentation dates
15 August 2020 as part of National Science Week, Melbourne
9 September 2020 as part of Ars Electronica, Austria
Presented by Chunky Move in association with Science Gallery Melbourne and University of Melbourne
Supported by City of Melbourne Arts Grants Program
ACTIVATORS is a series of free public events curated by Chunky Move Artistic Director Antony Hamilton and independent choreographer and curator Leah Landau. The ACTIVATORS program invites independent artists to apply choreographic approaches and principles to ideas such as site, space, time, and material, keeping the body at the centre of their investigation. The resulting hybrid events may involve elements of performance, installation, discussion, and/or demonstration, and will feature artists whose work plays a role in shaping and influencing conversations in society and culture.
ACTIVATORS is supported by the City of Melbourne Arts Grants Program and presented in partnership with organisations including MPavilion, Science Gallery Melbourne, Alpha60/Chapter House and ACCA.
With thanks to Professor Mark Elgar, Professor of Evolutionary Biology and Animal Behaviour at University of Melbourne.
Image: Mathieu Briand
Video still: Body/Insect/Machine