Half Life VR

Choreographers Sharon Eyal and Gai Behar are known as pioneers of contemporary dance. With Half Life, they present their most futuristic work yet. The piece begins with two soloists making small, repetitive movements. Eleven other dancers then join them to form a cyborg-like ensemble, progressing as a unit through a series of angular movements and poses. They are like a swarm of bees working in unison, grouping and regrouping to the beat of minimal techno. But there’s one dancer who stands out from the rest. Could it be the queen?

The performance by the Royal Swedish Ballet was captured using VR cameras in the summer of 2017. The dancers are filmed from 60 different angles. At one moment you’re looking at the ensemble from above, and the next you’re standing among them. You see details of the costumes, expressions and movements in a way that would be impossible from a theater seat.