• Puzzle Creature

Works

A multi-disciplinary dance work inspired by the death-eluding architecture designs of Arakwara and Madeline Gins. 

‘Puzzle Creature’ is a term coined by artist / architect duo Arakawa (1936 - 2010) and Madeline Gins (1941 - 2014), it refers to an organism’s constant questioning of its existence and surroundings. Adrienne Hart has created a beguiling performance experience inspired by Arakwara and Gins, featuring an award winning team of collaborators. An immersive set design creates a space where performer and public co-exist; three exquisite dance artists drive the performance, accompanied by a newly commissioned multi-speaker score. Puzzle Creature also features integrated British and Japanese Sign Language alongside audio description.

Puzzle Creature premiered at Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale 2018 and toured the UK between 2018 and 2019. UK performances include The Place, Bristol Beacon, DanceXchange and the Oxford University Museum of Natural History. A site specific iteration of the work titled ‘Puzzle Creature - Island Encounter’ took place on Teshima Island as part of Setouchi Art Triennale 2019. 

  • “Through its diverse meditations on this broader question of being in the world, Neon Dance has created a beautiful and engaging work that leads us on an unforgettable journey of exploration.”

    — Arakawa + Gins Tokyo Office

  • “Do yourself a favour and catch Neon Dance perform their sold out London show Puzzle Creature. I saw it last night and have not stopped thinking about it. This immersive, extraordinary and unique show will blow your mind.”

    — Audience Member

  • “Thank you so much for your amazing, breathtaking, and unparalleled performance. We all were moved and now still feeling in another world.”

    — Audience Member

  • “…a unique and wondrous world.”

    The Stage

  • “I really enjoyed the performance. The dance made me recall the infinite possibility of body. I forgot daily life in this extraordinary time and recognized the sparkle of our bodies. Thank you.”

    — Audience Member

  • “It was beautiful beautiful beautiful! Made me cry.... thank you. I hope it travels so widely. It has so much to say and through the most beautiful imagery imaginable.”

    — Audience Member

Discover our behind the scene video series created by documentary filmmaker Tom Schumann and commissioned by Neon Dance.