Braindead | Curl

"Braindead" emerges as a poignant narrative and live performance that delves into the existential maelstrom of a post-AI epoch. As a human grappling with obsolescence in a world where artificial intelligence has usurped the zenith of intellect, the story unfolds, questioning the very essence and future of humanity.

This ambitious project by CURL, blending a music video with live performance, pushes the boundaries of interactive storytelling. Behind us, a screen acts not just as a backdrop but as a portal to the fictional universe where our tale resides. It is through this window that the audience glimpses the world we inhabit onstage—a world augmented by real-time motion capture technology that translates our physical movements into digital dynamism.

Our innovative use of live motion capture ignites an interactive system that allows the performer's movements to manipulate the virtual environment in real-time. A groundbreaking parallax effect is achieved by aligning the virtual camera with the performer's gaze, offering a seamless and intuitive control over the visual narrative. This technological marvel transforms the performer's body into a living conduit for the 3D world and the encompassing light show, liberating them to fully inhabit their character and letting the live show organically adapt to their presence.

The result is a performance that transcends choreography and predetermined visuals. Each show is a unique event, its variability ensuring no two performances are ever the same. "Braindead" not only showcases the fusion of interactive live music with innovative technology but also marks a pivotal moment for live entertainment.

Presented at the prestigious Geneva International Film Festival (GIFF), "Braindead" is a statement about the synergy between human creativity and technological advancement, a showcase of CURL's vision for the future of performance art.