Dust is a four-minute immersive VR experience that reimagines how contemporary dance can be seen and felt. It explores the boundaries between virtual and physical experience, contributing to research in participatory performance, human–computer interaction, and VR technologies.

Using a VR headset, the audience is placed in close proximity to the dancer within a unique audiovisual environment. The work combines volumetric recordings of performers with photogrammetric captures of Rambert’s building, allowing viewers to experience the choreography from multiple perspectives within the very space it unfolds. This creates an emotional connection between audience and performer, as well as between audience and digitally reconstructed architecture—pointing toward new possibilities for dance, performance, film, and sound in VR.

The piece draws on the idea that all matter, including our bodies, originates from stardust. Inspired by this notion, as well as the philosophical motif of the “unthinkable world” in In the Dust of This Planet by Eugene Thacker, Dust reimagines our perception of body, space, and time through digital technologies. It explores new ways of engaging audiences and shaping narrative through the intersection of performing arts and new media.

Digital artists: Mária Júdová & Andrej Boleslavský
Choreographer: Patricia Okenwa
Dancers: Soňa Ferienčíková & Roman Zotov
Creative producer: Carmen Salas
Musician: Miles Whittaker aka Demdike Stare

Dust was produced by Carmen Salas with the support of Arts Council England. Its international presentation was supported by public funding from the Slovak Arts Council.

2019/04 Zealous Stories: Digital, UK
2018/11 best VR experience, Nexon computer Museum in Korea
2018/07 New Face Award, Japan Media Arts Festival, Tokyo, JP
2017/12 best VR experience, B3 Biennale des bewegten Bildes, Frankfurt, DE