Second Life
© Raymond Mallentjer

PROJECT

Second Life (2008)

Second Life presents the idea/l of a utopic community in two parts. The first, the virtual world of online communities such as Second Life, and the second a kind of futuristic retirement community, populated by elderly amateur performers 70 years and older.

Andros Zins-Browne_Second Life © Raymond Mallentjer
© Raymond Mallentjer

The performance takes off from the consideration that the real world utopias (cruise ships, artificial private islands, gated communities) and those of the virtual worlds, exist on two sides of an ever-disappearing interface- where the real becomes more virtual, and the virtual more and more real. Whereas the first is primarily directed towards the elderly, the latter owes its existence to young gamers.

The question becomes what kind of utopia society is ultimately in the process of creating – do we hope for an extension or an alienation from embodiment, do we hope to imagine a whole new body or just to escape the realities of the one we have?

Past Dates

April 2010

10/04
PACT Zollverein (Essen)

October 2009

24/10
wpZimmer/Amperdans Festival (Antwerpen)

February 2009

25/02
STUK (Leuven)
26/02
STUK (Leuven)
18/02
Vooruit (Gent)
19/02
Vooruit (Gent)

November 2008

21/11
Kaaistudio's (Brussel)
22/11
Kaaistudio's (Brussel)

Credits

Concept: Andros Zins-BrowneIn collaboration with : Agnieszka Dmochowska, Béatrice Balcou and Jaime LlopisPerformed by: Andros Zins-Browne, Agnieszka Dmochowska, Béatrice Balcou, Jaime Llopis, Magda Vandecaveye, Henk Slijp, Julia Goffen, Jeanne Van Peperstraete, Ilse VerbertExtra's: Jacqueline Soetewey, Maurice De Keyzer, Hugo ReckoSound: Peter LenaertsCostume assistance: Ada RajszysLight and technique: Luc SchaltinSet elements: Rommelo YuProduction: wpZimmer for Filter vzwCo-production: BUDA kunstencentrum (Kortrijk), PACT/Zollverein (Essen), artcentre Vooruit (Ghent), Kaaitheater (Brussels)With the support of: Flemish Government, Stad Antwerpen, Dans in Limburg and wpZimmerIn collaboration with: STUK kunstencentrum (Leuven), ccBe (Antwerpen)Thanks to: Beursschouwburg, Brussel , Seniorencentrum Brussel

Press

Interview: Steven Debelder