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'Inspired by the concepts found in the first chapter of Australian author Greg Egan’s legendary science fiction masterpiece of the same name, DIASPORA presents a uniquely utopian reading of what life might be like if we surrender to the fact that software can be, and in fact is already, superhumanly organic. As we theorise and catastrophise about the perils of handing over control to an AI we often overlook the possibility that software could not only save our species but that it could also be a beautiful step in evolution towards an ethereal, non-body, consciousness. Using projection, illusions and lasers, a truly futuristic visual design houses an ensemble of extraordinary musicians who are charged with sonifying the complex and multi-layered build of a digital life-form.' (Production summary)
Production Details
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Presented by The SUBSTATION, Melbourne International Arts Festival and CHAMBER MADE. This project was assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council.
Performed at The Substation, Newport, Victoria: 5-6 October 2019.
Composer and audio-visual artist: ROBIN FOX and CHAMBER MADE
Artistic Director dramaturg and co-director TAMARA SAULWICK,
Co-composer and violinist ERKKI VELTHEIM,
Video artist and system designer NICK ROUX,
Musician / performers MADELEINE FLYNN (ondes musicales and Moog synth) and GEORGINA DARVIDIS (vocals and theremin), with
Lighting design AMELIA LEVER-DAVIDSON.
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Related Works
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y
Diaspora
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Millennium
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Z55515
1997
single work
novel
science fiction
'Set in the thirtieth century, Egan's novel has sentient software on centre stage, with humans as bit players. Egan has always placed ideas above characterisation, and readers of this novel almost need a degree in physics
and information technology to follow it. Nonetheless, perseverance will be rewarded, as Egan explores spatial dimensions while trying to define what is humanity, especially when
humanity is not involved' (Colin Steele, SF Commentary No 77, p.54).
Works about this Work
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Diaspora Review : A Rave for the Senses, a Future That Has Already Arrived
2019
single work
review
— Appears in: The Conversation , 4 October 2019;
— Review of Diaspora 2019 single work musical theatre'Diaspora, a production by Chamber Made, sets out to explore the nature of consciousness as society moves closer to the post-human digital realm.'
-
Diaspora Review : A Rave for the Senses, a Future That Has Already Arrived
2019
single work
review
— Appears in: The Conversation , 4 October 2019;
— Review of Diaspora 2019 single work musical theatre'Diaspora, a production by Chamber Made, sets out to explore the nature of consciousness as society moves closer to the post-human digital realm.'
