Re-Invocation Workshop by Jonathan Armour : Exploring Identity in Digital and Physical Realms

Workshop: Re-invocation Workshop by Jonathan Armour
Date: Tuesday, 27 August 2024
Time: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: Thailand Creative & Design Center (TCDC Chiang Mai)

Jonathan Armour, an international artist known for his groundbreaking work in augmented reality (AR) and performance art, returns to Studio 88 for an innovative workshop that delves into the complex interplay between human identity and digital existence. The Re-Invocation Workshop follows on from Armour’s previous collaboration with ‘Golf’ Thanupon Yindee at the Gender Fluid Residency in May/June 2024 and promises participants a thought-provoking experience in the hybrid space between the physical and digital worlds.

Workshop Overview

In the Re-Invocation Workshop, Armour invites participants to explore the concept that human identity is defined and shaped in relation to others. However, this exploration is not confined to interactions with other physical beings; instead, participants will engage with digital personas, blurring the lines between biological and virtual realities. The workshop challenges participants to consider how their sense of self evolves when confronted with entities that exist only in the digital realm.

The Digital Frontier: Identity Without Boundaries

In today’s increasingly hybrid world, the digital space offers unparalleled freedom to express and redefine identity. Armour’s workshop taps into this potential, encouraging participants to experiment with multiple forms of existence. Whether physical or digital, each interaction in this space holds validity, prompting participants to question how much of their engagement follows real-world protocols and how much diverges into new modes of interaction.

What to Expect

Participants in the Re-Invocation Workshop will work with digital “people” who cannot be seen, as well as with real individuals introduced by the artist. The challenge lies in responding, engaging, and interacting with these entities—whether they are physically present or digitally constructed.

This workshop is unscripted, relying on improvisation and instinct. Participants are encouraged to approach each scenario with an open mind, allowing their instincts to guide their responses. There is no right or wrong way to engage; each participant’s experience will be unique.

Armour is keen to foster a collaborative environment, welcoming any ideas participants might have for new ways to interact with digital humans. This open-ended approach could lead to the identification of innovative individuals whose contributions may inspire future collaborative performance work.

About the Artist

Jonathan Armour is a resident artist at Studio 88, where his work has garnered attention for its exploration of the intersection between visual arts, technology, and performance. Jonathan has been selected for Studio 88’s Design Lab Performing Arts Residency, marking his second residency with us. His participation in the Base Box Theatre initiative as an invited international artist underscores his dedication to pushing the boundaries of traditional performance art.

About Base Box Theatre

The Re-Invocation Workshop is part of the broader Base Box Theatre initiative, a small-stage theater performance project that aims to promote the creative economy within Chiang Mai’s performing arts sector, supported by the Creative Economy Promotion Agency (CEA) and Thailand Creative & Design Centre (TCDC Chiang Mai)

This workshop represents a unique opportunity for participants to engage with cutting-edge technology and performance art, guided by one of the field’s most innovative practitioners. Whether you are an artist, performer, or simply curious about the evolving landscape of identity in the digital age, the Re-Invocation Workshop promises to be an enlightening and transformative experience.

More about Jonathan Armour

More about Base Box Theatre

If you would like to be part of our art community, Studio 88 is accepting applications on an on-going basis. Check out our residency program and apply now.