Dance Tackles Deepfake Truth

The latest work by dance duo Jess and Morgs, titled "Deepfake," employs sophisticated technology, including green screens and live camera feeds, to explore the theatricality inherent in high-stakes television interviews. This piece delves into the complexities of discerning truth in a media-saturated world, drawing parallels between fabricated scenarios and potential real-life events.

Choreographers Jessica Wright and Morgann Runacre-Temple are known for integrating contemporary themes with ambitious technological approaches in their performances. Their previous success, "Coppélia" for Scottish Ballet, reimagined a classic ballet as a cautionary tale about AI and technological hubris. "Deepfake" continues this exploration by scrutinizing the performative aspects of interviews.

The creative process for "Deepfake" involved extensive research into various television interviews, from historical moments like Jeremy Paxman's interrogation of Michael Howard to more recent controversial appearances. The choreographers were particularly interested in how modern politicians navigate and evade questions, reflecting the "ultra-media-trained" nature of public figures.

During live performances, the interview segment is filmed using multiple cameras. Audiences witness both the live action on stage and a screened version featuring edited footage and manipulated backgrounds. This layered presentation allows for the observation of image fabrication and the construction of multiple realities, enhanced by dancers in green-screen suits who alter the visual environment before disappearing in the edit.

The use of green screen technology, described as having a "lo-fi" and "absurd, playful" quality, contrasts with the hyper-realistic nature of modern AI deepfakes. The artists highlight the societal danger of deepfakes, which not only promote falsehoods but also foster skepticism towards verifiable truths. The piece ultimately examines "the strange shifting relationship with the landscape of truth."

Rehearsals for "Deepfake" involve two principal dancers, Rebecca Bassett-Graham as the journalist and Kennedy Junior Muntanga as the politician, embodying the text's meaning through precise and dynamic movements. The choreography is tightly mapped to spoken words, requiring extreme accuracy in execution to maintain the illusion. This meticulous approach underscores the dancers' virtuosity as a metaphor for the demanding performances seen in real-world interviews.