Award-winning dance collective Phluxus2 will bring together an impressive roster of local creatives, including Nerida Mattei (Angel Monster, Love Stories, Boy Swallows Universe), Ben Ely (Brisbane band Reurgitator) and Lisa Faalafi (of renowned arts collective Poly Toxic). ) to present the genre-defying production at QPAC’s Cremorne Theater from 28-29 November 2024.

The Next 14 Seconds draws on the disciplines of dance, theatre, visual arts and sound design to explore human evolution and where we are heading in the future.

Phluxus2 Artistic Director and Choreographer Nerida Mattei said the process of creating “The Next 14 Seconds” began at a turning point in many people’s lives – during the events of 2020 and as the world experienced suffering, trauma and spinning out of control.

“I have always been drawn to creative work that helps me consider and uncover certain aspects of the human condition that are interesting, unusual, frustrating or exciting,” she said.

“This is a brand new work created in collaboration with an incredible team of performers and creatives who react to the choreography in real time as we create it together. Our process, of course, is diverse, and it is impossible to fit it into a framework, but dance is, of course, the hero.

“The title of the work refers to the idea that in this infinite cosmos, our world is a small but beautiful fragment, and we, as homo sapiens, are said to represent only 14 seconds of its condensed cosmic existence.

“It builds on where we come from: the evolution of human biology, the development of the collective and community, invention, reinvention, imagination, consumerism and creativity, and, importantly, looks at where we are going. What will we change in the next 14 seconds?”

The production will feature work by Woolly Woolly woman and artist Arabella Walker, including fabric sculptures attached to the theater’s ceiling and hand-painted dancers’ costumes. The two sound designers were deliberately kept separate from each other for part of the creative process to allow for a personalized approach to the choreography.

This unique, hands-on and authentic collaboration is key to Mattei’s creative process as a choreographer and has earned Phluxus2 critical acclaim, including winning “Best of the Fest” at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe two years running in 2022 and 2023.

In addition to Mattei as choreographer, the project brings together a talented ensemble of five dancers: Jade Bryder, Hsin-Ju Eli, Georgia Pierce, Asher Bowen Saunders and Jacob Wotton, as well as leading local dancers Lisa Faalafi (costume design), Arabella Walker (visual artistry) ), Ben Ely and Haami Te Kuru (sound design), Keith Clarke (lighting design/production) and Daniel Evans (playwright).

Mattei said Brisbane audiences can expect a rich and multi-faceted work from this world premiere.

“I hope that The Next 14 Seconds will spark conversations about how we approach community and the philosophy of our own lives, and that it will encourage reflection on where we’ve been in order to find a future that is more just, brighter, joyful and sustainably renewed,” she said.

Tickets are on sale at qpac.com.au or by calling 136 246.

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