As part of Noh Reimagined two leading neuroscientists, Professor Semir Zeki and Professor Atsushi Iriki, will examine curious connections between the 650-year-old tradition of Noh and the mechanisms of our brain.

‘Since so much in Noh performance is left to the imagination, which is a mental activity produced by the brain, I have decided to supplement what is on stage with lighting that will produce a visible, sensory counterpart – coloured shadows – which is also produced by the brain.’

Professor Semir Zeki, a pioneer of neuroesthetics will speak about the objectivity of subjective state and will illustrate this using the coloured shadow illusions in collaboration with Noh performers.

Professor Atsushi Iriki will examine evidence-based speculations in light of his recent research on how we acquired the concept of the ‘meta-self’ (a third-person sense of our own existence) in relation to Riken-no-ken (a form of self-analysis used by Noh performers) and how we visualise illusions as realistic entities in Noh performances.

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About Noh Reimagined 2018: The Sublime illusions.

Following the highly successful 2016 edition, Noh Reimagined is returning to Kings Place with an exciting new theme and line-up. The two-day festival explores the art of Noh, the iconic theatrical tradition that originated in fourteenth-century Japan. This edition will shed light on the unique dramaturgy of Mugen (‘phantasmal’) Noh, in which the main actor (shite) appears as a ghost in the dream of a travelling monk performed by the supporting actor (waki). The ghost then tells the tragic story of its past life, expressing deep regret and lamentations, hoping to find peace.

Top Noh performers from Japan will work with innovative British artists and neuroscientists in genre-defying collaborations to examine the surreal artistic elements of Noh. Join us to explore time, space and symbolism in Noh theatre through interdisciplinary performances, workshops and talks.

Noh Reimagined 2018 will connect the sublime illusions and transformative power of Noh’s 650-year-old tradition with the creative energy of contemporary arts and culture, posing new questions about who we are.

More information can be found here including multi buy ticket offers.