Phygital D: Lu Yang – DOKU, The Binary World (Full Performance)

A high-energy audiovisual experience with real-time motion capture, live performance and virtual avatars in Hong Kong and Sydney

Shanghai-based new media artist Lu Yang premieres the live motion capture performance DOKU, The Binary World as a real-time collaboration between dancers in Hong Kong and Sydney. Interacting in a shared virtual environment, the dancers and avatars at Freespace and the Sydney Opera House shuttled simultaneously through multiple binary realms.

The high-energy audiovisual experience draws on Buddhist philosophy, club culture, video games and the aesthetics of anime. Embodying the avatar forms of Lu Yang’s genderless digital reincarnation Doku – Dokusho Dokushi, “We are born alone, we die alone” – the dancers present binary combinations of deities from the six realms of Buddhist reincarnation: Heaven and Hell, Human and Animal, Hungry Ghosts and Asura (Jealous gods). 

Lu Yang’s work has been presented around the world, and was featured in The Milk of Dreams show at Venice Biennale 2022.

Core Team:
Artists: Lu Yang
Musician/Composer: liiii
Production and Development (Sydney): Exhibitionist
Production and Development (Hong Kong): MetaObjects
Hell Environment 3D Design: Extreme John

Live Performance Team, Hong Kong:
Producer: Dr Ashley Lee Wong
Technical Lead: Andrew Crowe
Technical Assistant and AV Coordinator: Edwin Lo
Choreographer and Dancer: Kenny Leung
Videographer: Moving Image Studio

Live Performance Team, Sydney:
Producer: Mathew Spisbah
Motion Capture Technician AV Coordinator: Dr Sam McGilp
Choreographer: Harrison Hall
Dancer: Taiga Kita-Leong

Film Team, Sydney:
Director of Photography: Tyron Seeto
Steadicam Operator: Ginski Jermolajew
First Assistant Camera: Andy Diep
Gaffer: Vivian Duong
Editor: Cristobal Olguin / Tyron Seeto
Colourist: Sebastian Reategui

Panel Discussion
This programme includes Panel Discussion: Beyond Binaries: Digital Performance In a Post-COVID Era, in which we discuss the form of performance in a post-pandemic era and reveal the now and future of the avatar form – DOKU, as long as offering insight into the creative process of Lu Yang’s art piece.