A Duet of Man and Machine – Acclaimed Dancer Huang Yi & His Robot KUKA Perform in Miami

Humanity is revealed through dancing with a robot in this award-winning show making its Miami premiere as part of Live Arts Miami’s Future Earth series.

MIAMI, Oct. 24, 2024Miami Dade College’s (MDC) Live Arts Miami presents the highly anticipated Huang Yi & KUKA at 8 p.m. on Nov. 22 & 23 at MDC’s Koubek Theater. This groundbreaking work fuses the precision of mechanical engineering with the artistry of modern dance through a series of captivating vignettes with live dancers and an industrial robot, KUKA.

Created, conceptualized and programmed by acclaimed Taiwanese choreographer, dancer and inventor Yi, “Huang Yi & KUKA” is a poetic exploration of the relationship between humanity and technology. It aims to spark conversations about the capacity of computers to exhibit true creativity in a world where advances in autonomous robotics are moving at a rapid pace.

The captivating vignettes include live dancers who share the stage with KUKA, the industrial robot conceptualized and programmed by Yi; a rigorous undertaking because a single minute of choreography takes 10-20 hours of programming. The show, which has captivated audiences worldwide, brings together razor-sharp precision and stunning artistry, harmoniously weaving the realms of dance and robotics into a single, cohesive narrative.

“Dancing face to face with a robot is like looking at my own face in a mirror. I think I have found the key to spin human emotions into robots.” Yi said.

Named by Dance magazine as one of its “25 to Watch,” Yi has earned international praise across Europe, Asia and North America. In a week-long residency with Live Arts Miami, he will present a master class for MDC dance students; conduct a workshop and discussion with Robotics students through MDC Tech and participate in a panel discussion on “Art, Tech and The Future of Human Expression” during the Miami Book Fair, on November 23.

“This performance offers a profound exploration of the intersection between technology and humanity,” said Kathryn Garcia, executive director of Live Arts Miami. “Huang Yi has crafted a compelling narrative that seamlessly fuses innovation and artistry, inviting audiences to witness a powerful dialogue between movement and machinery.”

HUANG YI & KUKA is an original production of Huang Yi Studio + developed at 3LD Art & Technology Center, in association with Sozo Artists and commissioned by Quanta Arts Foundation. The performance is made possible by the generous support of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council; the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners and the Taiwan Ministry of Culture.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit https://liveartsmiami.org/events/huang-yi-and-kuka/.

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WHAT:    Live Arts Miami Presents Huang Yi & Kuka

WHEN:    Friday and Saturday, Nov. 22 – 23, at 8 p.m.

WHERE:  Koubek Center Theater

2705 S.W. 3rd St.

TICKETS: www.liveartsmiami.org

ABOUT LIVE ARTS MIAMI
Celebrating its 35th anniversary, Live Arts Miami is one of the city’s oldest and boldest performing arts series: an action-driven, people-centered platform for powerful performances, impactful community programs, and learning experiences that spark dialogue, raise awareness around pressing issues, and open minds and hearts in all who take part. Its Fall 2024 Future Earth series is a dynamic lineup of performances exploring the intersection of art, technology, humanity and the planet. The series featured performances, discussions and educational programs inviting audiences to reimagine the planet’s future through art. For more information, please visit www.liveartsmiami.org and follow @liveartsmiami on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

ABOUT HUANG YI
Taiwanese dancer, choreographer, inventor, and videographer Huang Yi’s pioneering work is steeped in his fascination with the partnership between humans and robots. He interweaves continuous movement with mechanical and multimedia elements to create a form of dance which corresponds with the flow of data, effectively making the performer a dancing instrument. Named by Dance magazine as one of the “25 to Watch,” Huang is widely considered one of Asia’s most prolific choreographers.

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