Zangezi

“Zangezi” is a multimedia stage production based on the visionary 1922 poem by Russian Futurist Velimir Khlebnikov. Under the artistic direction of Zurich-based American media artist Chris Salter, and in collaboration with the Immersive Arts Space (ZHdK) and an international team of artists from music, visual arts, performance, technology, and artificial intelligence, an immersive performance is being developed. The production combines spatial sound, lighting, music, graphics, and real-time AI-driven scenography generated with a game engine, alongside physical performance. A large-format LED wall serves as a central visual and lighting element. Digital landscapes, characters, and soundscapes are generated live and interact with the performers on stage. “Zangezi” addresses fundamental questions of the present: the relationship between humans and nature, the role of language, and war and conflict as driving forces of historical change. Following its premiere in Weimar, an international tour is in preparation.