Fereshteh Rostampour

Fereshteh was one of the top three finalists in the World Stage Design (WSD) 2013 competition in Cardiff, Wales & top five in WSD 2009 in Seoul, Korea. Her lighting design for Jesus Christ Superstar in 2006 won the outstanding lighting design at the 20th Annual Charlotte Theatre Awards. http://fereshtehrostampour.com

PRESENTATION OVERVIEW

The dictum “Form Follows Function” is the principle associated with modern design. Based on this principle, the function has to be defined, before something can be designed. In Matrix II Fereshteh Rostampour reversed this principle.

This presentation shares the idea and process of making Matrix II, a visual and conceptual movement piece, created by a true and seamless collaboration between the designer and the choreographer. The project breaks the conventional process of the performance design by having the design lead the entire performance.

In Matrix II the design concept forms the starting point for the piece and rests on the idea of projected animations as the primary light source, thereby defining the space and the parameters within which the moving bodies exist. Although the projections and the dancers coexist, the scanning, driving, and intrusive nature of the projected animations suggests an authority over the living bodies.

Matrix II is based on the concept of the dehumanization and isolation caused by technology. The story explores the perception that the increasing pervasiveness of technology and our desire to intensify individuality perhaps tends to dehumanize and isolate us. Matrix II shows the reciprocal interconnectedness between people and their environment by defining the dancers' world through animated geometrical and divergent projections. This digitally created totality reflects on and juxtaposes the dancers’ visceral expressions in their attempt to find emotional resonance.

Matrix II was nominated for Best Interactive & New Media Design at the World Stage Design 2013, selected as one of the six primary performances in United States, and was featured at US National Exhibit of Performance Design and Space in Prague Quadrennial 2015.

MATRIX II - Set, lighting, projection & animations design - Fereshteh Rostampour. Choreography, sound & costume design - Karola Lüttringhaus.