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EVENT DESCRIPTION
This summer, Hong Kong Ballet (HK Ballet) joins with AIRSIDE for the first time ever in ‘HK Ballet Oz Life Journey at AIRSIDE’ – an immersive Arts Tech ballet experience that marries MR, VR, neon light installations by a local artist and a magical story that we know and love across nine interactive stations spanning 30 minutes. Celebrating its 45th anniversary, HK Ballet turns to Arts Tech to curate a never-before-seen immersive scenes from the classic tale.
Participants will defeat the Wicked Witch and her army of Winged Monkeys and take a closer look at the ballet’s choreography thanks to VR technology. A behind-the-scenes production area is also set up to reveal some of the magic behind HK Ballet’s Asian premiere of The Wizard of Oz coming this August and to bring visitors closer to the art of ballet.
Register online to dive into ‘HK Ballet Oz Life Journey at AIRSIDE’ from now to 4 September 2024, and follow Dorothy and friends on the iconic yellow brick road as they seek creativity, passion, courage and faith.
In its first-time partnership with HK Ballet, AIRSIDE GATE33 Gallery and a number of local artists took the blueprint of The Wizard of Oz to create ‘HK Ballet Oz Life Journey at AIRSIDE’, bringing a fresh new perspective to the classic story through Arts Tech. This creative event breaks the boundaries of a conventional stage performance and brings ballet into our everyday lives. Ultimately, the goal is to share the art form with more visitors through a never-before-seen experience.
Put on the latest Mixed Reality (MR) and Virtual Reality (VR) gear at GATE33 Gallery, and follow the virtual yellow brick road. HK Ballet’s The Wizard of Oz is a magical journey featuring new excerpts from HK Ballet Artistic Director Septime Webre and stunning visual effects by Eddy Wong, winner of Taipei Golden Horse Film Awards and Hong Kong Film Awards. Creativity abounds in a world of fantasy through MR and VR technology, with the dancers’ piouettes, lifts and arabesques happening right before your eyes.
Neon light artist Jive Lau has crafted bespoke neon light artwork rich in local elements, while anime-style avatars Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion and the Wicked Witch of the West bring the story to life. Let them take you on a journey through this beloved story!
‘HK Ballet Oz Life Journey at AIRSIDE’ spans around 30 minutes and features an adventure map with nine virtual challenges. Participants will join Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion on the yellow brick road using the latest MR and VR technology combined with real-life backdrops and neon art and interactive installations.
A Groundbreaking Immersive Ballet Experience – A Preview of The Wizard of Oz
Hong Kong Ballet celebrates its 45th anniversary with Artistic Director Septime Webre’s ballet sensation The Wizard of Oz, which will debut on stage from 30 August to 1 September 2024 at Hong Kong Cultural Centre’s Grand Theatre.
This world-renowned tale follows young Dorothy, the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion as they search for the Wizard of Oz in Emerald City. Together, they defeat the Wicked Witch of the West and her army of Winged Monkeys. Webre’s version features breathtaking costumes by a team of leading designers set to Matthew Pierce’s lively original score performed live by Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. The immersive hi-tech effects in this exciting extravaganza will delight audiences of all ages.
