Dance partnered with robotics when acclaimed Taiwanese choreographer and inventor Huang Yi and his robot companion KUKA joined NC State LIVE for a week of events from November 11-16, 2024. Blending razor sharp precision and stunning artistry, harmoniously weaving together the art of modern dance and the science of mechanical engineering, Huang Yi and KUKA offered artist talks, class visits, a panel conversation on humanity and technology, a robot party for local families and two performances of HUANG YI & KUKA to the campus community.

Their poetic performance revealed humanity through a series of vignettes between live dancers and KUKA, a giant industrial robot conceptualized and programmed by Huang – a rigorous undertaking because a single minute of choreography takes 10-20 hours of programming.

Partners

Panelists included Rachel Levy (Executive Director of the Data Science and AI Academy), Valeria López Torres (College of Design faculty), Dasan Ahanu (local poet and playwright), and Huang Yi (choreographer).

Supporters

This performance was made possible by the generous support of the Ministry of Culture of Taiwan and the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources.