A speculative fiction reflecting on extinction, reincarnation and the afterlife. Arkadia is a dance opera by Melanie Lane, created in collaboration with Marg Horwell & Eugyene Teh (set & costume design), Chris Clark (UK, sound design) and Kim Laughton (Tokyo/UK, video animation). Set in a reimagined Garden of Paradise, Arkadia explores the mythologies of the afterlife and these fictional utopias. Gods and aliens metamorphosise in a hyper-realm where bodies suspend, transform and re-incarnate in a speculative hereafter.
3 years in the making, Arkadia began its conception in 2020 and has had multiple research and development phases across 2021-2023. Arkadia has been commissioned by The Substation. Development has been further supported by The Australia Council for the Arts, Playking Foundation and Chunky Move. Premiered at Rising Festival 2024.
Arkadia is the first work delivered through Corps Conspirators. This initiative, supported by Creative Victoria and led by Melanie Lane, is a project exploring collaborative choreographic practices, multi-artform experimentation and transcultural experience.
For more information and video links, please contact producer, Freya Waterson – findfreya@outlook.com
