Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects
Date of Degree
6-2024
Document Type
Doctoral Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Program
Theatre and Performance
Advisor
Peter Eckersall
Committee Members
Erika T. Lin
Claudia Orenstein
Subject Categories
Asian Art and Architecture | Other Theatre and Performance Studies | Theatre and Performance Studies
Keywords
Asian Performance, Contemporary Art, Global Asia, Technology and Theatre, Virtual Reality
Abstract
In this dissertation, I delve into the intersections of technology, spirituality, and embodiment within contemporary global Asian theatre and performance through a defining feature of animating virtual reality. This investigation is grounded in the theorization of Asian techno-subjectivity, which moves beyond racial and gendered stereotypes often associated with techno-Orientalism—a cultural phenomenon that emerged alongside the rise of the Asian techno-economy and the increasing global influence of cultural products from the region since the 1990s. I examine how contemporary Asian artists repurpose digital and immersive technologies beyond their current applications, revealing the porous boundaries and entangled interconnectedness between humans and nonhumans, such as ghosts, machines, and intelligent systems, across different perceptions of reality, both physical and virtual. Through the analysis of experimental theatre, dance, media installations, and participatory virtual reality performances by artists from Singapore and South Korea—some in collaboration with Japanese artists and institutions—I highlight the importance of spiritual traditions and animist ontology in shaping the relationship between technology and subjectivity in the accelerating digital age. I argue that theatre and performance serve as virtual boarding stations through which individuals can sense beyond the immediately visible reality and contribute to reshaping contemporary society amid ongoing technological advancements, media proliferation, and ecological concerns in an increasingly globalizing world.
Recommended Citation
Kim, Kyueun, "Animating Virtual Reality: Technology, Spirituality, and Embodiment in Contemporary Global Asian Theatre and Performance" (2024). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gc_etds/6791
