AXIS Dance Company and Dr. Catie Cuan
Robotics ShowcaseAt the dawn of the 21st century, the realm of movement and mobility extends beyond conventional limits as it welcomes a new collaborator: robots.
Kinematic/Kinesthetic is a groundbreaking work by AXIS Dance Company that integrates emerging and existing technologies to expand movement potential for both disabled and non-disabled dancers. AXIS Dance Company pushes the boundaries of dance technology through the use of dynamic mobility devices, including telescoping crutches and robotic hexapod legs developed by engineering students at Carnegie Mellon and University of Maryland working with multidisciplinary artist Ben Levine.
Manifold is a project by choreographer, dancer, and roboticist Dr. Catie Cuan, created during her two-year residency at The Exploratorium. This work delves into human/robot interaction, bringing to life the concept of connection and empathy between humans and machines. With choreographed dialogue between people and their technological counterparts, Dr. Cuan investigates how robots influence human perception and emotional response.
Stay after the performance for a post-show conversation led by Sydney Skybetter, director of Brown Arts Institute and associate professor of Theatre Arts and Performance Studies (TAPS).
Watch Dr. Cuan's TED Talk, Next up for AI? Dancing robots.
AXIS Dance Company’s Kinematic/Kinesthetic is funded by William and Flora Hewlett Foundation (lead funder through the generosity of their Hewlett 50 Arts Commission), Kenneth Rainin Foundation, MAP Fund, Mellon Foundation, and the Ford Foundation.
Dr. Catie Cuan's Manifold is supported in part by the Stanford Robotics Center and the Artist-in-Residence program at the Exploratorium.
Explore the dance music in our 2024-25 season by listening to our Spotify playlist.
Audio Description will be provided by Michael Witson of Gravity Access Services, with a pre-show Access Tour at 6:30pm. The tour will provide participants with an intimate and up-close tactile experience to feel and engage with the space, artists, props, costumes, and set-up of the Bing Concert Hall stage. Participants will be able to learn more about the work and the movement language in order to enhance their performance experience. This tour is designed for people who are blind or low-vision, but it is also open to others interested in an inside experience of the performance. To register, please indicate this in your ticket purchase or call 650.724.2464.
