Skip to main content

From Dust

Michel van der Aa

Copyright information:courtesy Michel van der Aa

In this revolutionary VR opera-installation, you’re not a spectator but an active co-creator. From Dust by Michel van der Aa (Oss, 1970) is made aided by AI and creates a tailor-made world that takes shape based on your choices and interactions: a journey you won’t forget any time soon.


The experience lasts one hour and includes an intake, followed by 24 minutes of participation in a personalized story. Six singers from vocal ensemble Sjaella lead you through a magical world, where everything you see, hear and feel is uniquely yours. You enter a dark space wearing VR glasses. In front of you, a swarm of particles appears, which change shape when touched and come to life. Your movements determine how the story unfolds.


Van der Aa breaks new ground once again, building on his internationally lauded VR installation Eight (Holland Festival 2019), which the New York Times called ‘a breakthrough for virtual reality in classical music.’ This work touches on themes characteristic of his oeuvre: the loss of humanity, the thin line between reality and fiction, and the influence of technology on our perception. 

dates

June 12-29: from 10 AM

prices

  • default € 20
  • CJP/student/scholar € 15

information

  • 1 hour

Please note:

From Dust is not recommended for individuals with severe fear of heights, claustrophobia, heart conditions, back problems, a history of seizures, epilepsy, or sensitivity to flashing lights. Not recommended for visitors under the age of 12.

  • From Dust

    courtesy Michel van der Aa

  • From Dust

    courtesy Michel van der Aa

Credits

direction Michel van der Aa composition Michel van der Aa script Michel van der Aa vocal ensemble Sjaella (Helene Erben) dramaturgy Madelon Kooijman lead developer Roland Smeenk technical artist Rens van de Wiel (lead), Quint Vrolijk 3D artist Stein van de Ven (lead), Glenn Wustlich (characters), Bas Jansen animation Niels Weber Al integration developers Michael Hussar, Sean Simon digital clothing designer Iris van Wees VFX developer Ruud op den Kelder stylist Sjaella Judith de Zwart vocal recording engineer Bart Wagemakers (Exalto Studio) production Aram Balian, Norman Vladimir Smith, Daniëlle de Jonge financial director Rosita Wouda (doubleA) Xsense Mocap Het Nieuwe Kader, Niels Bosch sound engineer Tomas Valecka mocap production Arjen Oosterbaan director of photography Joost Rietdijk tooling face recording Rens van de Wiel direction assistant Anne van Brunschot, David Wolfswinkel with thanks to Eric Chang (Reallusion), Marek Simonik (Record 3D), Sebastian Kox (Innovatie:Lab), Abdelhadi Baaddi (Innovatie:Lab), Roelof Terpstra (Virtueel Nederlands Heren), Edwin Vermeulen commissioned by De Doelen with additional support by Holland Festival