Abstract

System 28 is a contemporary dance work that interrogates the complexities of life in the digital era, exploring how online systems shape human behaviour, relationships, identity, and emotion. Through a series of interconnected choreographic episodes, the piece reflects on the multifaceted nature of online existence—ranging from the curated performance of self on social media, to the intimacy and absurdity of online dating, the blurred boundaries between work and leisure, and the darker undercurrents of trolling, surveillance, and digital obsession.

Fusing physical theatre, gesture, and multimedia elements, System 28 captures the frenetic pace, humour, vulnerability, and isolation of virtual life. The choreography alternates between hyperconnectivity and disconnection, mimicking scrolling behaviours, pop-up interactions, and the fragmented attention span of online engagement. At once satirical and sincere, the work invites audiences to reflect on their own digital footprints and the emotional cost of living through screens.

By translating the intangible architecture of online systems into physical form, System 28 offers a critical yet playful lens on contemporary digital culture—its power, its perils, and its pervasive presence in modern life.

Choreographers Rachel Emms and Sarah Riach