Technological Dances

The exhibition "Technological Dances" by Alice Anderson, is a record of performative paintings as communications beyond the visible world, bearing witness to another possible intelligence in the age of Al: one that inhabits matter. Her instinctive and choreographed rituals aspire to a reappropriation of our relationship with a world governed by "data management."

Through her paintings and "Awakened Objects" the artist seeks to demonstrate that dance and technology are not separate elements that meet, but that they generate each other simultaneously, in the act of creation. The gesture, guided by a mindful state of reconnection to materials, can transform the machine - just as the machine shapes the human gesture.

It is in the context of the interaction between body and matter that the paradoxical title of the exhibition at the MON was born, juxtaposing the rigidity of technology with the fluidity of dance. But the artist explains: "These two words truly seem contradictory. And yet, both evoke movement. Technology is like a movement created by its constant evolution. It is designed to interact with and respond to the body, whether by pressing a computer keyboard or by imitating human gestures through robotics. And although the materials from which technology is made may appear static, that is far from the truth. Originally, these materials, extracted from the earth - ores, metals, rocks - were transformed and then assembled into technological devices. Matter is never inert: it is permeated by forces, energies, and capacities for action."

For more than 20 years, Anderson has been in dialogue with non-human beings, thus building bridges between indigenous knowledge systems and quantum physics. She observes, cares for, and dances with ancient tools modern machines, electronic circuits, architectural elements, or meteorites - reconnecting with their animated materiality, as if she wished to repair our relationships with the more-than-human world.

The objects and their associated memories are clearly evident in the titles of her performance-paintings from 2021 to 2025: "Mac Book," "Hard Drive," "Satellite Dish," "Phone Screen," "iMac 3".

This demonstrates how the artist engages with the contemporary world in all its forms. And when Alice Anderson was asked how she conceived her exhibition within the powerful architecture of the MON, she responded spontaneously, with a sigh: "I conceived nothing. The space spoke to me." From wherever he observes us, Oscar Niemeyer - who had a dancing hand - must be very happy to welcome Anderson into his Eye.

Marc Pottier
Curator

The originality of Franco-British artist Alice Anderson is the highlight of the new exhibition at the Oscar Niemeyer Museum: “Technological Dances,” which reaffirms the MON's role in international contemporary art.

Performative, the artist and her work become one. She creates through dance, producing unique paintings and sculptures based on intuitive movements. In this way, she prompts reflection on nature, technology, the body, and memory.

Her work creates visual and sensory experiences by blending performance, everyday objects, and architectural structures into artistic pieces imbued with poetic and symbolic meaning.

In addition to reinventing materials, it also questions the role of technology in human life, how we relate to the natural world, and digital evolution.

Besides the unprecedented nature of her work, this encounter is amplified by its dialogue with the architecture of the Olho exhibition space. Just as people have the power to adapt, Olho transforms itself, in a creative and unusual way, with each new exhibition. And this is probably one of the most creative that has ever been shown here.

We know that visiting museums brings psychological well-being, reduces stress, stimulates positive emotions, and awakens dormant senses. Healthcare professionals increasingly recommend art therapy. The combination we offer in this exhibition, between dance and visual arts, results in moments of contemplation and inspiration.

Enjoy.

Juliana Vellozo Almeida Vosnika
CEO of the Museu Oscar Niemeyer

Over the years, Anderson has met Ailton Krenak, Anna Dantes, Madeleine Deschamps and has performed with Cristine Takuá - all part of SELVAGEM, a non-governmentalorganization that involves a cycle of studies about life, the Indigenous Living Schoolsmovement and a collaborative network oriented towards ways of knowing andtranslations between worlds that Anderson closely shares a vision with.

Since 2018, Selvagem has dedicated itself to studying, sharing, recording andsupporting Indigenous knowledge, creating dialogues between the sciences and thearts. 

Everything Selvagem creates is made available free of charge. The studies unfold in notebooks, audiovisual works, workshops, talks and exhibitions.

Selvagem actions are aimed at supporting the Living Schools, Indigenous centres for the transmission of traditional knowledge, ensuring the transfer of 10,000 BRL (1,700 USD) a month to each school and creating joint actions. All this movement contributesto other paths of education, imagining regenerative and non-destructive ways of beingin the world.

Selvagem also relies on books from Dantes Editora Publishing House to delve deeperinto certain themes. To make this possible, our collaborative network also includes a number of philanthropic supporters and institutional partners.

Core team: Co-founder: Ailton Krenak, Executive, Creative Director and Co-founder: Anna Dantes, Production Director and Co-founder: Madeleine Deschamps ,Coordination of Living Schools: Cristine Takuá, Coordination of the Ways of KnowingGroup: Veronica Pinheiro