snarkitecture: why patterns stage design

snarkitecture: why patterns stage designin ‘why patterns’, a collaboration between snarkitecture and choreographer jonah bokaer

a collaboration between new york-based experimental architecture practice snarkitecture and american choreographer and media artist jonah bokaer, ‘why patterns’ is a dance performance involving the interaction of dancers with thousands of ping pong balls. the only set for the performance is the forms and patterns created by the ping pong balls, which changes constantly, and the work is largely absent also of props, save several lengths of tubes that are used as frames, boundaries, and tools over the course of the show.

originally commissioned by dance works rotterdam, the piece makes its US premiere through august 7th, 2011 as part of the jacob’s pillow dance festival in becket, massachusetts. the performance begins with a single ping-pong ball introduced into a frame onstage, initiating a series of dances and games as more and more balls are dropped onto the performers as the frame on the floor slowly collapses.

footage from the performance

ping pong balls being released onto the stage

additional scenes from the performance