Hybrid Agencies Press release
Museum of Science Boston
jmonroe@mos.org
MASARY to Premier Live Performance Merging Dance and
Artificial Intelligence at Museum of Science, Boston
BOSTON, MA – MASARY Studios, in collaboration with New York-based choreographer Mike Esperanza, presents “Hybrid Agencies” with the Museum of Science, Boston on March 16 and 17, 2022 as part of the Museum’s SubSpace Winter/Spring 2022 season lineup.
‘Hybrid Agencies’ investigates how state-of-the-art machine learning and AI technologies can represent the human body and movement, as well as the ways that such systems misrepresent or fail to represent the human body.
This three-part event starts by inviting audience members to enact some facets of these technologies before the dance performance featuring original sound score and AI-generated video by MASARY's Ryan Edwards and Jeremy Stewart, PhD. After the performance, audience members will join the artists for a conversation that introduces how these technologies work and how we might begin to think about them in light of their omnipresence and fast growth and development, through the lens of creative practices and art making.
"Hybrid Agencies is an investigation of how we might incorporate AI/ML technologies into the process of creating a performance,” explains Stewart, the creative director of the project, “While the technology itself plays an important role in the video that is present in the work, we also looked to a number of ideas and concepts from AI/ML as jumping off points for movement and choreography, and the compositional form of the piece. More than just a way to create interesting visuals, we've really tried to consider how AI/ML can alter or influence the ways we create."
The performance includes dancers Meg Anderson, Haley Day, and Haissan Booth with choreography by Mike Esperanza. “Jeremy’s approach to his craft has really transformed the way movement has been constructed for Hybrid Agencies,” says Esperanza, “The collaboration introduces new devices that allow open interpretation. It permits us to move past the common construct of how bodies are designed in space.”
“Hybrid Agencies” is featured as part of the Museum’s SubSpace 2022 Winter/Spring adult programming season, along with many renowned and riveting speakers, performers, and immersive experiences. The programming series is the Museum’s experiential playground for developing fresh, original, social experiences, education, and artworks for adults.
“We are thrilled to welcome the incredible talents of MASARY to the Museum of Science for the premiere run of ‘Hybrid Agencies’,” said James Monroe, producer of adult programs and theater experiences at the Museum of Science, Boston. “. Their incomparable ability to explore current topics and issues impacting our society through innovative, immersive, and revolutionary experiences has made them one of the most exciting companies in Boston and beyond, and a perfect partner to further the work around artificial intelligence that is becoming a center focus for our institution.”
To purchase tickets, visit: https://www.mos.org/subspace/hybrid-agencies
This is a three-act event, with each act taking place in a different area of the Museum, requiring the audience to move with the piece throughout the evening. Seating is limited and is first come, first serve for some portion of the evening; for specific seating requests please contact adults@mos.org in advance. Seating is not guaranteed unless requested in advance.
About the Presenters
MASARY Studios is an interdisciplinary artist collective reconsidering environments through site-specific installations using sound, light, interactivity, and performance. Based in Boston, the studio’s practice includes live performance, electronic music and production, facade projection-mapped video, artistic research, technology and materials fabrication, and the expansive use of animation. The studio, founded in 2015, is artist-owned and managed.
www.masarystudios.com
Instagram @masary_studios
Mike Esperanza is an acclaimed New York City artist who has established a national presence in the dance community. He has presented on prestigious stages including the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Sergerstrom Center for the Arts, McCallum Theatre, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Salvatore Capezio Theater at Peridance, The Royal Conservatory in Cordoba, Spain, and the Australian Circus Festival. Esperanza’s work has been described as “bold, athletic movement and theatricality—the latter clearly the coming together of Esperanza’s many talents—[...] the dance of the new millennium: shape-shifting, vernacular-blending with a prescient focus on the brave new world in which we live.” (Jessica Abrams, Explore Dance)
Jeremy Stewart, PhD, is a multimedia artist and performer researching the affective potential of distributed media systems through the creation of improvisational performances, artificial intelligence (AI) software, and wearable hardware. His work investigates the ways that technology can affect, interact with, and alter an individual’s agency, perception, and autonomy. Stewart’s dissertation work investigates the use of artificial intelligence technologies within the context of an artistic practice, both as a technology and tool to be used for creative expression, and as a theoretical framework to be explored through creative strategies. He is technical director and a contributing artist at MASARY Studios.
Ryan Edwards is a Boston-based sound and installation artist. His work is focused at the intersection of interactivity, sound and light. His work is often haptic, creating community, agency and participation through technology and new-media. Ryan’s work is influenced by the West African djembe repertoire in which he was immersed through his 20’s, and is balanced by an interest in electronic and urban dance music. Ryan is most proud to be a father of two beautiful children, Jafiah and Maya.
About the Museum of Science, Boston
Among the world's largest science centers, and one of New England’s most attended cultural institutions, the Museum of Science engages 1.4 million visitors a year to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) through interactive exhibits and programs. Nearly an additional 2 million people experience the Museum annually through touring exhibitions, Traveling Programs, Planetarium productions and preK-8 EiE® STEM curricula through the William and Charlotte Bloomberg Science Education Center. Established in 1830, the Museum is home to such iconic exhibits as the Theater of Electricity, the Charles Hayden Planetarium, and the Mugar Omni Theater. The Museum influences formal and informal STEM education through research and national advocacy, as a strong community partner and loyal educator resource, and as a leader in universal design, developing exhibits and programming accessible to all. Learn more mos.org.