about the project
Beginning at the start of the universe Human x Human explores the evolution of nature and society, sensing connection and change in the body and the power of collective human action.
In this time of the Anthropocene with its ecological and human-health crisis, what are we collectively experiencing through grief and the contemplation and ignition of change and innovation. How has globalisation, urbanisation and computerisation altered inter-human relations? In response to the recent bushfires and current pandemic, how might this social, environmental and economic rupture, alter interactions with the global economy, human ecology and our environment. How are we connecting and reforming our relationships with each other, nature and technology? What sort of future do we want to create? In contemplating the long lifespan of ecosystems, this work begins at the formation of the universe and follows the evolution of earth to an imagined future.
In September 2020 during Melbourne’s Stage 4 lockdown humans from ages 5 to 78 joined us from near and far, as we developed this projection dance work via open access online workshops. These sessions invited participants to sense, imagine, create and connect through dance, improvisation and visual storytelling. People were guided to express and process feelings and thoughts through movement and art, contemplating environment, climate, the pandemic and regeneration. They experienced creative processes that investigate the spectrum of emotional responses to the here and now and how creating art can evoke new ways of thinking and being. They were invited to explore emotion in their body, experience synchronicity, imagine change and sense the power of collective action. In the final session participants moved and danced together as an ensemble. This footage and their drawings have been incorporated into the work. The participatory events were designed to suit all levels of experience in movement, improvisation and dance from beginners to experienced and all abilities, including the very active and those with limited movement.
In response to the recent Covid outbreak in Naarm / Melbourne projection shows were cancelled. We hope to bring Human x Human to live audiences in the future.
Video excerpts from our projection dance livestream and community ensemble dance. We held weekly online participatory live art workshops for 4 weeks for both: children & families and adults & teens. In the final week we all came together for recorded performances.
artists
Caroline Packham - concept, director, video & projection art
Stéphane Hisler and Emma Riches - choreography and dance for projection video art and workshops
Dan Goronszy - facilitation of online participatory live art events
Minna Lappalainen and Nick Wilson - performance for livestreamed projection dance events
Music - Cold Hands Warm Hearts, Grace Ferguson and from freemusicarchive.org Nctrnn, Podington Bear and Noel Griffin
Contact
partners
The City of Stonnington proudly supports Human x Human.
Initial creative development supported by the City of Melbourne COVID-19 Arts Grants and online adaptions supported by Creative Victoria.
Special thanks to Ai Learning Solutions and Atticus Media for their additional support.