Mari Matsutoya, Laurel Halo, Darren Johnston, LaTurbo Avedon, Martin Sulzer

Commissioned by CTM Festival and transmediale for their joint 2016 editions, in collaboration with Donaufestival, the Barbican and Metal, Still Be Here is a unique collaborative performance that draws its audience into the multiplying realities of ‘cyber celebrity’ Hatsune Miku – the ultimate 21st century pop star – tracing the dynamics at play between fans, corporations and social desires. Miku (whose name literally means “first sound of the future”) launched in Japan in 2007 as a vocal synthesizer product, evolving gradually into a musical sensation embodied in the form of a teal-haired 16 year-old. She has given countless stadium performances as a virtual 3D projection and has released more than 100,000 songs worldwide.

Originally conceived by artist Mari Matsutoya, Still Be Here is a collaboration with music producer Laurel Halo, award-winning choreographer and visual artist Darren Johnston, and digital artists LaTurbo Avedon and Martin Sulzer. Together they have crafted an audiovisual platform for exploring the nature of the female popstar in the 21st century, combining new musical material, found footage and documentary excerpts. Miku’s songs employ a collage of user-generated lyrics, referencing many other contributors and countless online authors and Creative Commons users, whose works are then further interpreted and given new meaning.

The show will be followed by a Q&A, chaired by writer and researcher Frances Morgan, with Mari Matsutoya, Laurel Halo, Darren Johnston, Martin Sulzer and virtual artist LaTurbo Avedon, who will be participating via a screen projection.