‘Dancing’ robots a highlight at this year’s Hong Kong International Arts Carnival
Machines interact with human dancers in a multimedia show designed to reflect the evolution of technology
In choreographer Blanca Li’s Robot, a highlight of this year’s Hong Kong International Arts Carnival, the seven robots featured in the multimedia dance show are not there just to impress but to move the audience.
“I want robots and machines to [convey] emotions,” says the 52-year-old artistic director of Blanca Li Dance Company. “I want robots to melt the audience’s hearts and have people think about these emotions and what provoked them.”
To achieve that, Li incorporates meaningful human bodily movements into the robotic gestures, from arms reaching out for a hug to head hanging low, to create that emotional connection. And she doesn’t have to look far for ideas. “My life in general is my inspiration. I look around myself a lot to find ideas and sources of inspiration,” she says.
Created by Li between 2010 and 2013, the production teams the “NAO robots” by Aldebaran Robotics with eight professional dancers. It also features music from the quirky Japanese art group Maywa Denki. While the robots imitate how we move, the choreography for the live performers references robotic and mechanistic movements, and the evolution of technology.
“Robots are incredible; they are becoming more and more capable,” explains Li. “I was very interested in having some of them share the stage with human dancers because I wanted to see how humans and machines would interact in the show.