New Works XR Pilot Program 2021 is a new program developed in collaboration between New Works, dance artist Erika Mitsuhashi, and a team of consulting artists and technologists working at the intersection of performance and XR technologies. XR (extended reality) is an umbrella term encompassing augmented (AR), virtual (VR), and mixed reality technologies.

The New Works XR Pilot Program provided catered support to two dance makers Kevin Li and Eric Cheung. Operating as a case-study model, they worked with the XR pilot team to develop a structured working plan and identify key resource needs to support their goals and objectives for their XR projects in the form of: workshops for skill development, mentorship with senior artists Ian Garrett and Jacob Jacob Niedzwiecki, connecting with technologists and coders, and XR resource sharing.

To mark the culmination of each artists activities through the XR Pilot Program, we will host an in-person sharing of each artists' in-progress research.

Audiences will have an opportunity to access an Occulus headset to experience in-progress works intended for immersive platforms. The sharings will be informal in nature and audience members will have the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback directly to artists Kevin and Eric.

The artists:
Eric Cheung is a Vancouver based street dance / contemporary artist who was born in Calgary, Alberta—widely known for his specialization in the funk style of Popping. Eric is currently pursuing the immersive technologies of VR including motion capturing (specifically volumetric point cloud) to dance in collaboration with the Museum of Other Realities (MoR).

Kevin “Shazam” Li is a choreographer and dancer best known for his hand choreography work on the American fantasy TV series The Magicians. His robust training includes street dance forms (tutting, flow arts and animation dance) and contemporary dance. Through this program he will be exploring the workflow involved in creating 360 video from concept to presentation.

We want to provide Eric and Kevin with access to an audience during critical moments in their research and to foster dialogue with an audience of peers. Audiences with any level of familiarity with XR are encouraged to attend!


When: December 11, 2021
Time: 2-4pm
Location: Progress Lab - 1422 William St, Vancouver, BC V5L 2P7

Please also note that all in-person activities will require proof of vaccination in accordance with BC's health authority guidelines.

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Thank you and we look forward to your participation!

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New Works XR Pilot Program Team