Transforma, Sascha Ring (Apparat)

Directed by Transforma, with a score written and presented by Sascha Ring (Apparat), and choreographic assistance by Johanna Hwang, Manufactory combines live video, physical theatre and music, which reflects the rhythms and physicality of labour and repetitive action. This will be the work’s UK premiere performance.

Situated within a functional stage design, an ensemble of dancers perform a choreography of process, inspired by the actions and outcomes of working practices. In their signature style, Transforma document and condense single scenes into stylised vignettes while Ring’s original score takes the form of a series of phasing loops that both respond to and trigger the performers’ actions.

A modular synthesiser system, developed by Sascha Ring will provide the score to Manufactory. This unit will produce sound cycles which will react to the workers’ actions - each cycle never repeating due to varying production styles and speed of work. In turn, the score will trigger cues for the performers to follow. The resulting series of phasing loops will dictate the core tempo of the piece and create a system of interdependence.

With its exploration of industrial processes and human elements of a bygone era of manufacturing, this project forms part of the Barbican’s The Art of Change season. The Art of Change explores how artists respond to, reflect and can potentially effect change in the social and political landscape.

The Artist Group Transforma and Berlin-based electronic musician Sascha Ring – aka Apparat – last took to the Barbican stage in 2015 with a performance of his scores for film and theatre.