creation

The Cloud

Arkadi Zaides
Institut des Croisements

info production

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The Cloud is a performance that explores the natural/artificial phenomena of a cloud and its complex material and symbolical relation to human agency. Zaides and his collaborators reflect on how, much like natural clouds, many aspects of new technologies elude our full understanding and integration into daily life, particularly highlighting the elusive and expansive nature of artificial intelligence.

The piece also weaves in the notion of "hyperobjects," a term coined by American philosopher Timothy Morton to describe phenomena or entities that are vast in scale and complexity, exceeding human comprehension and posing significant ecological threats, such as nuclear energy or climate change.
Onstage, performers navigate a vibrant and intricate setup that blends video, archival materials, sound, lighting, text, and movement while critically examining the potential for global collapse in the Anthropocene era.

Ultimately, The Cloud proposes an unexpected hybridisation between documentary and phantasmic aspects of its concerns and its dispositive: demonstrating what it wants to consider, and considering what it wants to demonstrate, in a real time of the stage performance.

credits

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choreography & direction Arkadi Zaides
performers Axel Chemla-Romeu-Santos, Misha Demoustier, Arkadi Zaides
dramaturgy Igor Dobricic
cinematofraphy
Arthur Castro Freire
AI development and sound
Axel Chemla-Romeu-Santos
light Jan Mergaert
technical direction Etienne Exbrayat

production & administration
Simge Gücük / Institut des Croisements
executive producer
laGeste
co-producers Montpellier Danse (FR), Charleroi Danse (BE), Maison de la Danse (FR), Mousonturm (DE), CAMPO (BE)
Residency PACT Zollverein (DE), Orbita | Spellbound National Production Center for Dance (IT), Dialoghi / Villa Manin, CSS Teatro stabile di innovazione del Friuli Venezia Giulia (IT)
international distribution Cecilia Kuska & Rui Silveira / Something Great
supported by The Ministry of Culture of France / Directorate General for Artistic Creation, TMU New York, City of Ghent, Flemish Authorities and the Belgian Federal Government's Tax Shelter measure through Flanders Tax Shelter

calender (11)

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practical

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duration 1h
language English
no subtitles

when premiere 16.05.2024 & 17.05.2024
where Campo
tickets via Campo

pictures

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in the press

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‘Just as contamination spread in the cloud that drifted west, so our image of Chernobyl - or any image really - is being sullied by AI that has become elusive. And so this can happen to all images, to all memories, to all history: that's the suggestion I get anyway, and it's not a pretty thought.’

'Nevertheless, Zaides offers a strong reflection on our (virtual) time spirit: modern technology can solve a lot, yet paradoxically we seem to be losing our grip on the ecological and societal dangers that hang over our heads like a looming cloud cover.'

'The testimonies, given over the course of an hour, highlighted the human dimension of this catastrophe, suggesting that such a deadly sequence could well be repeated today anywhere in the world. To the point of destroying the planet and humanity. The audience was touched and gave a warm applause.'

more press

bio

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extra

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video-interview with Arkadi Zaides about The Cloud