AΦE is a Medway/Kent (UK) based dance company founded by accomplished dance artists Aoi Nakamura (Japanese) and Esteban Lecoq (French) in 2016. As trailblazers in this area they were the UK’s first dance company to tour Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) productions internationally. They explore and develop unique experiences while incorporating cutting-edge technology into their performances.
AΦE creates original narratives and distinctive storytelling approaches that reinvents the audience experience while pushing the industry’s boundaries and broadening the range of audiences. Through their past and current productions they have successfully toured to 15 countries, over 60 venues and engaged with over 21,000 live audiences and participants worldwide. They continually strive to rethink the possibilities of live performances with a storytelling-centric practice that allows them to reach out to different audiences than traditional dance production with visionary approaches.
Supporting them on this journey they have partnered with high end technology brands and research institutions such as Epson, Framestore, Happy Finish, Arcade, SPECS-lab and The Scalable Display who they are inviting into the dance world to push its boundaries. In only 6 years, they have established their company as one of the leading dance companies working with technology, and garnered the support of some of the most prestigious venues around the world including Sadler’s Wells Theatre London, the Sydney Festival and Théâtre de Chaillot in Paris. Their work has also been presented at International Film Festivals including Geneva International Film Festival, CPH:DOX, LAVAL Virtual, VRHAM and LOIKKA International Dance Film Festival.
AΦE is an associate artist of Institute of Cultural and Creative Industries – University of Kent (iCCi) and in 2022 they launched A+E Lab, a cultural and technology hub located at Historic Dockyard Chatham, UK.
AΦE & A+E Lab: Website
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@aelab.uk on Instagram | Medium
Roundtable: Benefits of the Visual and Performing Arts
A panel of creatives will discuss issues around the benefits of the visual and performing arts.
Other panelists include Hannah Whittaker, Beth James, Megan Saunders and Suzanne Bull.