Uploaded August 2023 | Updated September 2026, 11 hours ago
DOKU, The Binary World is a premiere screening of the live motion-capture performance by Shanghai-based artist Lu Yang, originally staged in 2022 as a real-time collaboration between Hong Kong's Freespace, West Kowloon Cultural District and the Sydney Opera House.
In a remarkable networked performance, motion-captured dancers in the two geographic locations interact in the same virtual environment, creating an innovative artistic collaboration between two major cultural institutions.
The high-energy audiovisual experience draws on Buddhist philosophy, internet culture, video games and the aesthetics of anime. Embodying the avatar forms of Lu Yang's genderless digital reincarnation DOKU - from the Buddhist phrase 'Dokusho Dokushi', or '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.
The screening is followed by a Q&A with Lu Yang and producer Mat Spisbah, moderated by The Guardian writer Michael Sun.
Credits:
Co-presented by Sydney Opera House and Freespace - West Kowloon Cultural District
Co-produced by MetaObjects and Exhibitionist
Core Team:
Artist: Lu Yang
Musician/Composer: liiii
Production and Development (Sydney): Exhibitionist
Production and Development (Hong Kong): MetaObjects
Hell Environment 3D Design: Extreme John
Hong Kong Live Performance:
Producer: Dr Ashley Lee Wong
Technical Lead: Andrew Crowe
Technical Assistant and AV Coordinator: Edwin Lo
Choreographer and Dancer: Kenny Leung
Sydney Live Performance:
Producer: Mathew Spisbah
Motion Capture Technician AV Coordinator: Dr Sam McGilp
Choreographer: Harrison Hall
Dancer: Taiga Kita-Leong
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SUBSCRIBE to Sydney Opera House: https://soh.online/Subscribe
The new streaming service from the Sydney Opera House has arrived.
Get access to a selection of world-class performing and digital arts. Sign up for free stream.sydneyoperahouse.com
Sydney Opera House is an Australian icon and one of the busiest performing arts centres in the world. On this channel you will find performances, behind the scenes content and stories from beneath the sails. With over 40 shows a week at the Sydney Opera House there's something for everyone.
We’re not-for-profit and raise over 90% of costs from non-government sources.
Learn more at sydneyoperahouse.com/give
Find us on Facebook: facebook.com/sydneyoperahouse
Twitter: twitter.com/sydoperahouse
and Instagram: instagram.com/sydneyoperahouse
What's On at Sydney Opera House:
bit.ly/SOHWhatsOn
DOKU, The Binary World is a premiere screening of the live motion-capture performance by Shanghai-based artist Lu Yang, originally staged in 2022 as a real-time collaboration between Hong Kong's Freespace, West Kowloon Cultural District and the Sydney Opera House.
In a remarkable networked performance, motion-captured dancers in the two geographic locations interact in the same virtual environment, creating an innovative artistic collaboration between two major cultural institutions.
The high-energy audiovisual experience draws on Buddhist philosophy, internet culture, video games and the aesthetics of anime. Embodying the avatar forms of Lu Yang's genderless digital reincarnation DOKU - from the Buddhist phrase 'Dokusho Dokushi', or '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.
The screening is followed by a Q&A with Lu Yang and producer Mat Spisbah, moderated by The Guardian writer Michael Sun.
Credits:
Co-presented by Sydney Opera House and Freespace - West Kowloon Cultural District
Co-produced by MetaObjects and Exhibitionist
Core Team:
Artist: Lu Yang
Musician/Composer: liiii
Production and Development (Sydney): Exhibitionist
Production and Development (Hong Kong): MetaObjects
Hell Environment 3D Design: Extreme John
Hong Kong Live Performance:
Producer: Dr Ashley Lee Wong
Technical Lead: Andrew Crowe
Technical Assistant and AV Coordinator: Edwin Lo
Choreographer and Dancer: Kenny Leung
Sydney Live Performance:
Producer: Mathew Spisbah
Motion Capture Technician AV Coordinator: Dr Sam McGilp
Choreographer: Harrison Hall
Dancer: Taiga Kita-Leong
__
SUBSCRIBE to Sydney Opera House: https://soh.online/Subscribe
The new streaming service from the Sydney Opera House has arrived.
Get access to a selection of world-class performing and digital arts. Sign up for free stream.sydneyoperahouse.com
Sydney Opera House is an Australian icon and one of the busiest performing arts centres in the world. On this channel you will find performances, behind the scenes content and stories from beneath the sails. With over 40 shows a week at the Sydney Opera House there's something for everyone.
We’re not-for-profit and raise over 90% of costs from non-government sources.
Learn more at sydneyoperahouse.com/give
Find us on Facebook: facebook.com/sydneyoperahouse
Twitter: twitter.com/sydoperahouse
and Instagram: instagram.com/sydneyoperahouse
What's On at Sydney Opera House:
bit.ly/SOHWhatsOn
