Abu Dhabi: The participants registered, met up in front of Abu Dhabi’s Landmark building, received headphones that provided them with instructions and the next moment, they were part of a secret performance on the streets of Abu Dhabi. As a point to reiterate, only those who had the headphones were privy to the secret — Remote Abu Dhabi.
An art performance, Remote Abu Dhabi stunned the audience with its script and choreography that took participants through a journey that often ended up including them as the performers.
At the start of the performance, the participants’ faces revealed uncertainty. Each was looking at the other, smiling a nervous smile, not sure what lay ahead as they tuned in to a computer voice called Rachel, instructing them to do things in public they would ordinarily not have done. But soon, each of the participants was at ease, essaying their role with felicity.
Rachel guided people through parks, roads, malls and other public areas with such precision that often it made the group feel that she was a flesh-and-blood tour host present amidst the group, as she pointed out when to turn right or left and even highlighted the number of steps they needed to take sometimes. However, the magic of it lay more in the experience and absorbing the information provided by Rachel rather than the actual locations.
As the performance went on, many actions seemed to become an organic part of the show — closing one’s eyes in the middle of a park, dancing in a mall, walking backwards in the streets, applauding and cheering next to a basketball court, doing the Mexican wave, running at traffic signals and staring at strangers — all of this came to be seen as perfectly normal behaviour within the group.
Designed by German art collective Rimini Protokoll and organised by Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), Remote Abu Dhabi has found an ingenious way of exploring the relationship between people and their environment with the aid of technology.
The computer voice breaks down the world around the participants into simple components and in the process encourages them to put their inhibitions aside and rediscover their surroundings in ways they would normally not. It’s immersive experience at its best.
Tahli Korm, a 28-year-old Australian tourist, said she attended Remote Abu Dhabi without any expectations but was glad she did so. “It was amazing. It was futuristic and said a lot about society, Abu Dhabi and the world in general. I felt like I was performing something, like I were part of an art work almost. I loved that.
“I would definitely recommend this to others but if you are conservative, you may not experience it fully. I think you need to have an open mind,” she added.
Andrea and Ilaria Ceriani, Italian couple and Abu Dhabi residents, said the performance pushed them outside of their comfort zone at times but they were pleased that this form of art was available in the capital.
“It’s great to have this in Abu Dhabi, we don’t expect these kinds of things here,” said Andrea.
“It was great, unusual,” added Ilaria. “I am not the kind of person to go with the flow but this was good… dancing in a mall is something I would have never done.”
Participation is free, however, registration is required.
For more information visit www.abudhabievents.ae
What: Remote Abu Dhabi
When: February 6, 13, 20, 26 and 27
March 12, 18, 19, 26 and 31
Cost: Free
