How does an ancient artifact think, move and respond to our current times?

Hallucinations of an Artifact brings the Dancing Girl figurine from the Indus Valley civilization (c. 2300-1750 BCE) to life through dance and artificial intelligence. It pushes back at the multiple assertions that have been made on behalf of the figurine over the years, from being co-opted as the earliest evidence of dance in 'Indian' culture to appearing as propaganda: as a figurine labelled ‘Mother’ in several languages at an art exhibition, and as a pink-skinned mascot, bundled up in newfound clothing, at the International Museum Expo.

In this 60-minute work, choreographer, Mandeep Raikhy, disrupts the linear articulations and narratives framing the notoriously unclassifiable artifact.

After the show, join us for a post-show conversation with Mandeep Raikhy and facilitator Diya Naidu.

Credits

Performers and Collaborators: Akanksha Kumari, Manju Sharma and Mandeep Raikhy

Choreographer: Mandeep Raikhy

Visual Artist and Environment: Jonathan O’Hear 

Additional Live Lighting Design: Pranshu Shrimali

Music Composer: Anirban Ghosh (Baan G), Opening Track by Marcel Zaes

Technical Collaborators: Ankit Pandey and Pranshu Shrimali (Tech Quartet)

Rehearsal Director: Parinay Mehra

Costume Design and Construction: Sidharth Sarcar & Rajakumar

Images and Poster: Sidharth Sarcar

Carpentry: Asif Mirza and Team

Creative Contributors: Aseng Borang, Jasmine Yadav, Parinay Mehra and Ranjana Dave

Special thanks to Anusha Lall, Nikhil Mehta, Abhinav Khetarpal, Mukesh, Jeetu, Harinath, Ashok and Ashok from the Black Box Okhla technical team and many others who contributed to the work with their feedback. 

Supported by: Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia, Voices from the South Programme of the 

Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society (curated by the Pickle Factory Dance Foundation) and Dance Nucleus Singapore. 

Developed in Residency at Black Box Okhla, Khuli Khirkee and The Company Theatre Workspace.

Mandeep Raikhy is a Delhi-based choreographer. He completed a BA (Hons) in Dance Theatre at Laban in 2005 and then toured with Shobana Jeyasingh Dance Company. Since 2010, Mandeep has created and toured widely with several dance works, notably a male ant has straight antennae (2013) and Queen-size (2016). In 2009, he has been involved in several initiatives such as Gati Dance Forum, Khuli Khirkee and the MA Performance Practice (Dance) at Ambedkar University, Delhi.