Neon Dance presents Prehension Blooms, an interactive contemporary dance show that incorporates world-class performers, immersive sound design and music and the latest in AI robotic technology.
Prehension Blooms explores relationships and themes of companionship and loneliness; set in a distant future and ancient past – an alien world of sand where robot creatures lurk underfoot.
Conceived by choreographer and director Adrienne Hart, acclaimed for her previous Neon Dance works (Empathy, Puzzle Creature) Prehension Blooms features specially made, insect-like robots, named by the team as ‘hōki-mon’ (rake monsters), designed and built by Bristol Robotics Lab in collaboration with award-winning visual artist Ana Rajcevic.
The weave of dance and movement between the hōki-mon, dancers and the audience is presented with an original score by composer Sebastian Reynolds, whose cinematic, electronic soundscapes help transport audiences to another time and place.
Presented by Bristol Beacon
Unreserved seated event
Ages: 10+ (Under 16s to be accompanied by an adult)
Doors: 19:30
Start Time: 20:00
This event is supported by PRS Foundation
New music supported by Renishaw
Read, watch & listen
Prehension Blooms: where AI robotics and dance combine
Prehension Blooms: where AI robotics and dance combine
Blog / Video
Step behind the scenes of Prehension Blooms and find out more about the making of the show.
How can we create a companion species that will help us connect better to others… we’ve been looking at different designs inspired by nature and we’ve got a turtle-like design. A sand painting emerges – beautiful patterns. It leaves a trace of itself.
Director Adrienne Hart, speaking to the Financial Times
Prehension Blooms – Dance
Behind the scenes video documenting the making of Prehension Blooms featuring choreographer Adrienne Hart, composer Sebastian Reynolds and dance artists Travis Clausen-Knight and Fukiko Takase.
Prehension Blooms – Designing robots
Video by Tom Schumann showing the design of the robots featured in Neon Dance’s new work, Prehension Blooms.
Choose your workshop
Duration: 1 hour
Capacity: 10 people
In these workshops, learn more about the robotic technology used within the dance show Prehension Blooms.
Play with the ‘string-puppet robots’ that are similar to the ‘hoki-mon’ robots that feature in the production. You’ll have the opportunity to manipulate and animate the robot characters, learn about the internal motors in the robots and find out more about how they are programmed in Prehension Blooms.
In addition to the participatory activities, Neon Dance (the producing company) will present their tele-operated robot. The performing artists will be there to demonstrate and explain more about how they have incorporated these fascinating robotics into the dance production.
Workshop 1
Fri 30 Sep 2022
Workshop 1
Fri 30 Sep 2022
Start time: 14:00
Finish: 15:00
Free but ticketed
Workshop 2
Sat 1 Oct 2022
Workshop 2
Sat 1 Oct 2022
Start time: 14:00
Finish: 15:00
Free but ticketed
The venue
Bristol Beacon
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Getting Here
Getting Here
Bristol Beacon is located on Trenchard Street in Bristol city centre, 200m from the city centre promenade bus stops. Find out how to get here on foot, by bicycle, bus, car, train and boat.
Access Information
Access Information
Our foyer, café and box office are fully accessible. Find out more about venue facilities, joining our access register, access booking online and website accessibility.
Eat & Drink
Eat & Drink
Visit Bristol Beacon in the day for coffee or kick off your evening in style at Bristol Loaf café with delicious natural wines from Native Vine. Find out more about opening times, menus and special events.