"Kimospheres" are kinetic atmospheres currently explored in installations and performances built by the DAP-Lab ensemble during research on wearable space which emerged in the course of the European "Metabody" project. These kimospheres behave as if they are active living architectural organisms that have an aural, visual, and tactile-sensory quality, with subtly changing states and affordances. They can be worn and breathed, felt and imagined, transported and taken off. Elements and objects from the environment can be passed and shared, some of them emit intimate sounds, they are tactile sonic emanations from the environment. They vibrate in the light of distant voices. Others are constructed as costumes/garments that inspire movement, tactile perception, and new forms of proprioception and kinaesthetic awareness relating to the environment and others. These atmospheres of choreographic and garment design, and the sensory methods involved, are developed by members and associates of the DAP-Lab, directed by Johannes Birringer & Michèle Danjoux.

The new version, kimosphere no. 5, will feature long time performance members Helenna Ren, Yoko Ishiguro, and Haein Song. Zhi Xu will join the ensemble for the first time. We also welcome back Sara S. Belle, who is creating an 8-channel sound environments and will perform live at her typewriter, and Doros Polydorou, who has introduced a VR dimension to the kimosphere - visitors are invited to wear the Vive Headset and enter into the augmented virtuality of the tamarind forest on Malagasy Island, the space where our fictional narrative conjures the Shadows of the Dawn/Red Ghosts architecture we have built. Christopher Bishop's coral reef video is projected into the fabric structure, along with faded gestural refrains by Johannes Birringer, and Zhi Xu will test new wearable design (PLaRub) under development, evoking plastic and rubber pollutants in the environment, conceived & created by Michèle Danjoux.

DAP-Lab invites to Kimosphere no. 5

Zhi Xu performs in kimosphere no. 5, with new PlaRubDress designed by Michèle Danjoux; Haein Song is behind Zhi Xu, wearing Mugu costume from Korean kut (c) photos DAP-Lab

Film & Drama Studio, Queen Mary University, Arts Two Building, London

Saturday, December 9, 2017 - 13:13 - 14:30

DAP-Lab will present the fifth installment of its "kimosphere" dance environment at Queen Mary Film & Drama Studio Theatre

as part of the 'Staging Atmospheres' event held at Senate House and Queen Mary University

Arts Two Building/ Film-Drama Studio

“kimosphere no. 5”

created by DAP-Lab

Scenography: Johannes Birringer / design-in-motion by Michèle Danjoux

Sound: Sara S. Belle

Dancers: Helenna Ren, Haein Song, Yoko Ishiguro, Zhi XU

Virtual Reality design: Doros Polydorou

VR illustration: Francis de Oliveira, Letitia Liu, Nik Roan

Red Ghosts game: Ashley Rezvani

Video projections: Christopher Bishop, Johannes Birringer

Red Ghosts & Shadows of the Dawn cut cup poetry: Emma Filtness, Johannes Birringer

Mugu interfaces: Haein Song

Lighting and Technical Supervision: David Wright

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Stills from kimosphere no. 5 at film-Drama Studio Queen Mary University, London, Haein Song and Zhi Xu in masked costumes [above]; visitors touching and engaging with installation fabrics and Helenna Ren, one of the dance ghosts [below]. (c) 2017 photos DAP-Lab



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Go to first 2016 rehearsal

(initial research development for Metakimospheres has been part of the EU-funded METABODY project; the installation of kimosphere no. 4/Horla was funded by the Immersion/Presence Research Cluster at Brunel University; kimosphere no. 5 was invited by "Staging Atmosphere" (Queen Mary University and Ambiances International Network). The participation of Doros Polydorou and his collaborators are courtesy of Doros's association with the DAP-Lab; Doros is currently program leader of Creative Media and Digital Cultures Programme at the University of Hertfordshire)

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