The City of Melbourne’s newest major festival, Now or Never, is back, following its debut last year.
From August 22 to 31, the vibrant program has over 100 free and ticketed events and sessions exploring art, ideas, sound and technology.
More than 250 local and international creatives, musicians, artists and thought leaders will take over iconic venues across Melbourne – presenting immersive digital art experiences, cutting-edge performances, groundbreaking music and captivating talks.
This year’s festival theme, "Look through the image", invites audiences to interrogate what’s in front of them to explore deeper meanings and contemplate the layers of symbolism and hidden messages within.
Of special interest to dance lovers is Plagiary, described as an "algorithmically directed, experimental dance performance that employs AI in the roles of playwright and choreographer". Ten exceptional contemporary dancers "become vessels for unpredictable directives dictated by a computer voice presence".
Plagiary is the creation of multi-award winning "dance technologist and choreographer" Alisdair Mcindoe in collaboration with video designer Sam Mcgilp. It promises to champion the human body as one of the last areas untouched by AI.
Dates: August 28 to 31 at the Fairfax Studio, Arts Centre Melbourne.
Equally intriguing is Mountain, a one-off performance collaboration between acclaimed choreographer Melanie Lane and U.K. electronic music producer, Clark. Mountain promises to "explore the human struggle for evolution and the inevitable cycles of creation and destruction".