Find out more about Kindred by Liz Roche & Lightscape

Dance and technology combine in Kindred, inspiring us to think about our relationship with nature, with ourselves, with one another, and with the planet. Exploring nature and human connection, this immensely topical new digital dance work, commissioned from Dublin Dance Festival by ESB, brings together one of Ireland’s most celebrated choreographers Liz Roche, in collaboration with the award-winning Lightscape, who use cutting edge technology to create spectacular experiences for audiences across the world. The resulting innovative public installation will be free and open to all to experience daily from 9am to 7pm, Friday 19th May – Sunday 28th May at ESB’s new sustainable headquarters on Dublin’s Fitzwilliam Street, as part of Dublin Dance Festival’s 2023 Edition.  

Kindred explores elements of the natural world as we experience it; seeing nature as both existing independently of human activities, and as the nature we encounter within ourselves and within other people. Accompanied by a soundscape by Ray Harman and filmed by José Miguel Jiménez, Kindred places the moving body at the centre of this exploration with evocative performances from dancers Finola Cronin, Mufutau Yusuf, Emily Terndrup and Amir Sabra.

Integrating emerging technology and a range of moving image techniques, this digital dance installation will evoke multiple sensorial experiences of human nature and the elements. Video of the dancers will be interwoven with animations, appearing on LED screens in the ESB courtyard. An intimate sound score from composer Ray Harman and sound designer Brian Crosby, will run through the piece as an integral part of the experience. This unique combination of movement, film, technology, design, and sound will create a dynamic and charged space in which audiences can connect with nature as an intense force. 

Liz Roche comments, “A person needs to feel something deeply to know it; only then can they value it. Our experience of nature can be dramatic and life changing but can also be intensely gentle and still. Kindred explores these extreme spaces, finding new ways to inspire audiences to make their own sensory connection to the expanse of the natural world and the infinite and complex possibilities that it presents to us.”

Brian Kenny from Lightscape says, “Working with artists & designers from other disciplines is a core part of our work as a studio so we welcomed the opportunity to collaborate with Dublin Dance Festival and Liz Roche on Kindred. The creation and development of the piece over the past 12 months was an organic process, the result of which is an installation which blends light sculpture, motion design, and video with dance and music.”

Dublin Dance Festival Artistic Director Jazmin Chiodi says, “We at DDF are very proud of producing this very special project and to be bringing these artists from different disciplines together to create a unique opportunity for the public to reflect on this vast and urgent topic through the lens of dance and technology.”

Commenting on the new artwork, Peter O’Shea, ESB’s Head of Corporate & Regulatory Affairs says, “I would like to congratulate Dublin Dance Festival, Liz Roche, and Lightscape on their truly innovative response to this commission. The theme of nature and human connection reflects ESB’s ambition to create a brighter, more sustainable future, by harnessing Ireland’s abundant natural resources for the good of people and the planet."

Louise O’Reilly, Chief Executive for Business to Arts says, “Business to Arts believes in the power of art and culture to illuminate and expand our understanding of societal challenges. We have been very proud to support this commissioning process and commend ESB for demonstrating visionary leadership in collaborating with Dublin Dance Festival on this thought-provoking artwork.”

Kindred is commissioned by The ESB Brighter Future Arts Fund in partnership with Business to Arts, an all-island Arts Fund which aligns with ESB’s ‘Brighter Future’ purpose and net zero strategy by promoting environmental sustainability in diverse and ambitious ways. The public installation forms part of Dublin Dance Festival’s Moving Futures project, which also includes a curated public discussion, employee sessions and a workshop for local school children at ESB Head Office.

CREDITS

Concept and Direction/Movement: Liz Roche
Design: Lightscape
Design Direction: Steve MacDevitt
Design Producer: Brian Kenny
Soundscape: Ray Harman and Brian Crosby
Performers: Finola Cronin, Mufutau Yusuf, Emily Terndrup, and Amir Sabra.
Filmed by José Miguel Jiménez
Costume Design: Emily Ní Bhroin
Lead Motion Design: Carla Soriani
Technologist: Lucas Lupo
Motion Design: Afonso Boranga
Lighting: Conor Biddle
Producer: Dublin Dance Festival

TO ATTEND
This is a public installation, free of charge, and no booking is required
Dates: Friday 19 May – Sunday 28 May
Times: 9 am – 7 pm daily
Location: ESB Head Office, 27 Lower Fitzwilliam Street

For further media information, please contact Stephanie Dickenson at stephaniedickenson12@gmail.com.

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