Coming soon and free to attend, territory is a new virtual reality project from disability arts organization Kinetic Light. This 20 minute VR experience is coming to Portland Ovations on Friday, October 2 with rolling start times from 5 – 8 PM at Ovations’ office at 120 Exchange Street.

A fantastical universe of stars surrounds you. Shimmering Agents of the Wire fly overhead. Chilling figures roll toward and under you. Utopic and dystopic all at once, this immersive virtual reality experience envelops the Witness in a disability-centered, accessible universe. Co-directed by Kiira Benz of Double Eye Studios, this new virtual reality project is a reimagining of Kinetic Light’s stage production Wired, a potent aerial and contemporary dance experience that tells race, gender, and disability stories of barbed wire in the United States.

 

To participate, a reservation is required as space is extremely limited. The experience is approximately 20 minutes long, with rolling start times from 5 – 8 PM. Seen entirely through VR headset while seated, guests may experience disorientation or motion sickness.  All reservations can be made by visiting PORTLANDOVATIONS.ORG.

territory offers encounters with boundaries, cosmic figures, dark forces, partnership, and new worlds. Guardians and Agents confront each other among stars, mist, barriers, wire, and flight — a lush combination of immersive cinematography, dance, animation, visual effects, science fiction, fantasy, and even a touch of horror. While people of all ages have experienced and enjoyed territory, it is intended for mature audiences.

“Presenting companies that work at the intersection of innovative artmaking, social justice and who inspire us to think, and feel are hallmarks of the kinds of companies Ovations is excited to introduce to Maine audiences,” says Aimée M. Petrin, Portland Ovations Executive & Artistic Director. “Kinetic Light’s territory offers something truly brand new and unexpected.” 

territory has multiple accessible sensory options for each guest to turn on or off as they wish.

 

A non-VR version of territory is also being offered as part of the event. Guests may view the film on a TV screen in the Portland Ovations lobby without utilizing the VR headset. This experience is less intense, and reservations are not needed to view in the lobby. All guests are welcome to stick around for light bites and beverages provided by our partner Orange Bike Brewing Co.

 

“I’m thrilled to bring this unique experience to Portland’s audiences,” says Katelyn Manfre, Portland Ovations Director of Community Programs & Partnerships. “Kinetic Light holds accessibility at the center of their practice, and the experience features opt-in access tools like creative captioning, haptics, and multitrack audio description. It’s an exciting opportunity for us to synthesize the access work we do at Ovations and share the work of these tremendous artists!”

 

PHOTO ID: A moment from Kinetic Light’s territory. In a futuristic realm, a figure whips wire above his head as vibrant red lightning bolts emerge from his feet, scattering across the landscape. Behind him, angular gates separate dozens of kneeling figures; two flying figures swing through the multicolored swirling sky, trailing lines of barbed wire.

 

Founded in 2016 by Alice Sheppard, Kinetic Light is an internationally-recognized disability arts organization. Working in the disciplines of art, technology, design, and dance, Kinetic Light creates, performs, and teaches at the nexus of access, queerness, disability, dance, and race. The company is led by disabled artists; disabled artists create, design, and perform the work. KL’s work speaks to and emerges from disability aesthetics and disability culture, and it is connected to the rich traditions and exciting contemporary conversations of disabled artists in all artistic fields.