Date/Time: Friday, 30 August 2024, 17:30-18:20
Venue: 11F Studio 1, Taipei Performing Arts Center
Artist: Chunky Move
QA Moderator: Jeff Khan / Creative Director of Asia TOPA: Asia-Pacific Triennial of Performing Arts
Language: In English (QA)
U>N>I>T>E>D
U>N>I>T>E>D is an exhilarating new dance work in the canon of Artistic Director Antony Hamilton’s ‘speculative future’ performances. A collaboration with prodigal sons of Balinese experimental techno, Gabber Modus Operandi (GMO), Bali-based streetwear label Macan Studio, Aotearoa/NZ-based dancers, Jahra Wasasala and Ooschon, Naarm/Melbourne-based dancers David Prakash, Melissa Pham, Samakshi Sidhu and Jayden Wall, and Melbourne-based global leaders in animatronic design, Creature Technology Company, U>N>I>T>E>D explores ‘machine mysticism’ and the persistence of spirituality in a post-industrial digital age. Working with an interdisciplinary approach to integrate multiple artistic mediums, the team will generate a fascinating and highly engaging performance: dance manipulated by mechanical apparatus weaving with Gabber Modus Operandi’s influence of Javanese Jathilan trance, in a work that honours technologies both ancient and contemporary; both inner and collective.
A work-in-progress presentation of U>N>I>T>E>D, choreographed and directed by Antony Hamilton and performed by two dancers, will be shown at the 2024 ADAM Gathering. U>N>I>T>E>D will premiere in early 2025 in Narrm/Melbourne.
Artistic Direction & Choreography: Antony Hamilton, Australia
Antony Hamilton was appointed Artistic Director and co-CEO of Chunky Move in 2019. His choreographic work examines the elemental and primordial nature of the body, set against intersecting narratives that explore past, present and future. He often employs a sophisticated melding of movement, sound and visual design to collaboratively imagine complete worlds, and develops new choreographic languages to occupy them. Antony’s broad experience as a dancer and choreographer has roots in classical ballet, post-modern contemporary dance, and global street dance originating from North America. Antony has received three Helpmann Awards and four nominations, numerous Green Room Awards, and a New York Performing Arts Award ‘Bessie’ for Outstanding Production. In his time as Artistic Director at Chunky Move, Antony has premiered new works including Token Armies (2019), Universal Estate (2019), Yung Lung (2022), Rewards for the Tribe (2022), AB_TA_Response (2022), 4/4 (2023) and You, Beauty (2024).
Photo (c) Nick Robertson
Chunky Move
Based in Naarm/Melbourne, Australia, Chunky Move creates bold, genre-defying dance through rigorous collaboration and fearless experimentation. Internationally renowned for creating ambitious and highly original dance works, our award-winning company maintains a reputation for being at the forefront of contemporary dance globally. Artists and audiences are at the heart of our company, expressed in our dense program of major works, commissions, residencies and education offerings. Our collaborations, partnerships and projects aim to extend artform influence in the public realm and increase the visibility of contemporary dance as an everyday artform. Since 1997 Chunky Move has performed in 138 cities in 150 festivals worldwide, engaged over 376 artists and independent creatives, and captivated over 600K+ audiences.
U>N>I>T>E>D Creative Team:
Artistic Direction & Choreography: Antony Hamilton
Sound Design & Composition: Gabber Modus Operandi
Costume Design: Macan Studio
Exo-skeleton Design & Fabrication: Creature Technology Co.
Lighting Design: Matthew Adey (House of Vnholy)
Performers & Choreography: Ooshcon, Melissa Pham, Samakshi Sidhu, Jayden Wall, Jahra Wasasala & David Prakash
Dramaturg: Melanie Lane
Artists participating in the ADAM Kitchen:
Antony Hamilton, Melissa Pham, Samakshi Sidhu
Executive Director: Kristy Ayre
Partner 
*This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body. 
Key visual photo© Gianna Rizzo
