People Are Talking: UMS presents Ryoji Ikeda’s...
Posted: 10/31/14
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All comments by Becky
People Are Talking: UMS presents Ryoji Ikeda’s superposition at Power Center:
ASL,
I completely agree as well. I found the loud noises and lights incredibly off-putting and headache inducing. I guess these production choices did keep people alert, but I found them incredibly distracting. I wish I had been more able to be sucked into the work instead of alarmed and uncomfortable for the majority of the performance.
I completely agree that that information line was very thought provoking, but I found many of the others that discussed science and religion to be rather trite. I wish there was more complexity to the few words written on the screen. These were moments to really inspire the viewers, but they did not fully accomplish the level of wisdom of which they aspired.
ASL,
I felt the same with my senses being under attack. You’re right, it’s absolutely not necessary to blast music and light to the point of torture. It was rather unpleasant.
But in another sense, the dramatic effects are completely necessary. Ikeda’s intentions are apparent with his polarized use of light and sound. It’s either too bright/dark or loud/quiet; this exhibits the present and non –present; it illustrates the 0 and 1. Like the program notes, this performance is intended to touch on quantum theory, and the idea of having the overlapping of binary numbers. The deep understanding of quantum physics/computing is extremely complex and sophisticated. In that regard, the omnipresence of white noise and colors in the lights bring out the infinite (and thus incomprehensible) nature of quantum physics.
I find your question extremely stimulating about how we should approach the concept of infinity. I don’t have a clear answer but have some ideas that are relevant.
The marbles were notable. Through multiple trials, the spectrum of possible positions of marbles is filled. In the big picture, with time, infinity can be reached. Unfortunately we cannot live long enough to witness this phenomenon. This type of imagination that Ikeda provokes is extremely reflective. It had me questioning the presence of infinity and importantly the extent to which we can reach infinity. Although we can theorize the most profound concepts, it is just mere imagination and thus, sadly unreachable. So, for me, this was an illustration of our limits in conceptual thinking.
"by AK
People Are Talking: UMS presents Ryoji Ikeda’s superposition at Power Center:
It is important to go into new experiences with an open mind. I attempted to do this while watching “Superposition” at the Power Center on Saturday. After hearing commentary from the actors and reading reviews on the piece I was hesitant but willing to be engrossed in the production. Part of me knew that this production was not my taste, but I was hoping my mind would be changed after watching it in person. It, unfortunately, did not. Although technically advanced and accurate, the piece itself was painful to watch and listen. With seemingly never-ending flashing lights, loud, monotonous beeps, and moving lines of words, I worried for those who are seizure prone in the audience. As the play progressed I waited for that pivotal moment where I would finally be engrossed in the work, but that climax never came. Instead was a flood of cliché phrases about science and religion that tried to be more sagacious than they were in actuality. I do understand the premise of the piece and that it is a complex work of performance art. I respect it as such, but I did not enjoy a minute of it. Had I not had to stay for a class, I would never have finished the performance. I did not leave changed or inspired, like I hope to after a performance. I left with a migraine and a deep sense of confusion. I truly hope to never have to witness anything remotely similar to “Superposition” ever again.